Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Our Chicago car accident lawyers recently discussed a few New Year's resolutions that drivers can make to help reduce their risks of traffic accidents in 2012. We're not the only ones who are pushing for these safe driving habits.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is also on board with urging drivers to be more cautious and alert behind the wheel as we head into the New Year to make roadways safer for everyone.

According to AAA, drivers throughout the country want safer roadways and support government efforts to reach this goal. Still, despite more and more traffic laws, drivers continue to engage in knowingly dangerous habits behind the wheel.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that there were an estimated 32,890 people killed in traffic accidents in 2010. Although this is the lowest recorded number in the last 60 years, we are far from "safe" on the roadways. We are asking drivers to take the start off the New Year as a time to start practicing some safe driving habits. AAA is here to offer some simple tips on how to do just that.

“Even one death on our roads is unacceptable,” says AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety President and CEO Peter Kissinger. “On average there is still one needless death every 16 minutes in motor vehicle crashes."

Drivers Admitting to Bad Behavior:

-About a quarter of all drivers admit to driving without wearing a seat belt.

-Almost 15 percent of all drivers admit to drinking and driving at least once in the last year. More than 20 percent admitted to doing so in at least once in the last month.

-About a third of all drivers say that they read and write text messages while driving.

-Another 30 percent of drivers admit to gabbing on the phone while driving.

-More than half of all drivers said that they drove at least 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway in the last 30 days.

-About 30 percent of all drivers said that they drove at least 15 mph over the speed limit in a residential area in the last 30 days.

-Nearly 40 percent of drivers admit to running a red light at least once in the last month.

-A majority of drivers find drowsy driving to be irresponsible, but about a third of all drivers admits to doing it themselves.

While drivers may support tougher driving laws, it's clear that not many are willing to comply. AAA and our Chicago car accident lawyers are asking all drivers to make the change and to make safe driving habits a top priority in 2012. Use these simple safety steps to increase your safety behind the wheel in the New Year.

Continue reading "Unsafe Drivers Increasing Risks for Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

According to researchers at the University of Colorado Denver, a majority of elderly drivers who were surveyed said that they supported the mandatory retesting of elderly drivers. These surveyed drivers also said that they would happily hand over their car keys if their doctor or someone they loved said that they were unable to safely navigate a motor vehicle. Knowing when to turn in your keys can help to reduce your risks of a car accident in Chicago.

“We are now exploring the idea of an advance directive for driving where someone would be designated to take away your keys at some point,” said Emmy Betz, from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that it can be a tough subject to bring up, taking to your parents and grandparents about their deteriorating ability to drive. It's important to keep the safety of your loved ones as a top priority, even if that priority means having to discuss these risks with a loved one. Your intervention can help to save a life. It's recommended that you approach this sort of topic with concern and compassion instead of with a forceful, lecturing tone.

In the study from the University of Colorado Denver, 122 senior citizens were surveyed and results showed that more than 70 percent said that they supported mandatory retesting depending on age. Another 70 percent said that family members should be in charge of determining when a license should be revoked, while more than 50 percent said that it should be a doctor's job. Less than 20 percent of those surveyed said that it should be the DMV on and roughly 25 percent reported that they felt it was the police's job.

About 90 percent of elderly drivers who were surveyed said that they may stop driving if a doctor advised them to, while about 75 percent said they would if their family asked them to. Only about 12 percent of these elderly drivers reported to have been involved in a car accident over the last year and nearly 90 percent of these drivers said that they had at least one medical condition that most likely increases their risk of accidents. The surveyed drivers reported an average of seven medications each.

According to Betz, the University is trying to develop a screening process to help to identify drivers who are at alarmingly high risks for accidents. She also says that drivers who are over the age of 75 have higher rates for accidents per miles driven.

Residents are asked to take a close look at the elderly drivers in their family to see if they might be at serious risks for an accident. If so, they're urged to talk with these family members. A responsible resident knows when it's time to turn in their keys not only to safe their life, but to save the life of other innocent motorists.

Continue reading "Finding Ways to Help our Elderly Drivers Reduce Risks for Car Accidents in Chicago, Nation" »

According to Cyber Drive Illinois, school bus drivers and drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone at the wheel in the State of Illinois. But all drivers in the City of Chicago are banned from using a hand held cell phone at the wheel though. All drivers in the state are prohibited from using text messaging at the wheel as well. These laws were enacted to help reduce the risks of distraction-related car accidents in Chicago. The regulation of distractions is important as we are well into the busy holiday travel season, when accidents are much more common.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys understand that the Governors Highway Safety Association is also taking part in making our roadways safe. The association recently released a number of driving tips to help motorists get through the busy holiday travel season safely. In 2010, there were nearly 3,100 people who were killed in traffic accidents that involved a distracted driver. These types of car accidents are completely preventable. As our roadways get more and more crowded with vacationers, drivers are asked to curb all distractions and to place all of their attention on the roadways.

Tips for Managing Driver Distractions, from the Governors Highway Safety Association:

-Turn all electronic devices off. Either turn off your phone or put it on silent before starting the car.

-Alert callers. Set up a voice mail message that tells callers you're driving and you'll call them back as soon as you've stopped.

-If you have to make or answer a call, do so after you've pulled over into a safe area. Never use a phone behind the wheel. You're putting yourself at serious risks for an accident if you do.

-Passengers can help. Have a passenger answer or make a call if it's urgent.

-Stop the texts. Never text while driving. It's dangerous and it's against the law.

-Prepare yourself. Review maps and directions before setting out to avoid having to deal with GPS devices and paper road maps while driving. Ask a passenger to help you with directions while you keep your attention on the road.

-Pets get a seat belt. Our furry animals can serve as distractions, too. Make sure they're properly secured before driving off.

-If you need to address a situation with a child passenger, pull over and then do so. Never do it while driving. That's putting both of our lives in danger.

-Focus on the roadway. Driving is no time to eat, smoke, drink, read, etc.

The Truth about Distractions:

-Distractions significantly hinder a driver's performance.

-Drivers drive while distracted nearly half of their time spent behind the wheel.

-Distractions contribute to about a quarter of all traffic collisions.

-Texting is likely more dangerous than taking on a cell phone.

-Recent studies conclude that hands-free devices are no safer than hand-held devices.

The use of a cell phone while driving increases your chance of getting into a crash by 400 percent, according to the Illinois State Police.

Continue reading "Officials Address Distractions to Help Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

Welcome to the fourth entry of our 6-part blog series encouraging motorists to make safe driving New Year's resolutions, as we all work to reduce the risks of car accidents in Chicago. We've already discussed the dangers of distracted driving and of drunk driving. This blog will be discussing the dangers of speeding.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that roughly 98 percent of traffic violations were issued to drivers because of speeding. The Daily Herald examined traffic citations that were issued in Villa Park, Addison, Wheaton, Algonquin, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Rosemont, Barlett, Palatine, Bensenville, Naperville, Carol Stream, Mundelein, Elgin, Lombard, Geneva, Lake Zurich, Glen Ellyn, Lake in the Hills, Glendale Heights, Itasca and Grayslake. Of the 41,700 citations that were issued to drivers, more than 40,800 of the citations were issued to drivers for speeding.

“Writing a speeding citation is pretty easy. All you have to do is point the radar or laser device at a vehicle and you've got the speed,” said Roy Lucke of Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety.

As easy as it is for officers to bust speeders, it's just as easy for speedy drivers to get into accidents. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the less time a driver has to react to a danger on the roadway.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 910 people who died because of car accidents in Illinois that involved a speeding vehicle. Speeding-related accidents accounted for more than 30 percent of the fatal car accidents in 2009. These incidents took the lives of more than 10,590 people nationwide.

Although young men are most likely to speed behind the wheel, all drivers are asked to be cautious and to obey our roadways' speed limits. In 2009, nearly 40 percent of male drivers in the 15- to 20-years-old age group who were involved in deadly accidents were speeding at the time of the collisions. In the 23- to 24-years-old age group, more than 35 percent of male drivers who got into a fatal accident were speeding upon impact.

As we recently reported, the Illinois State senate approved a measure to allow the City of Chicago to start using intersection cameras to bust speedy drivers in "safety zones."

“This is clearly a request of the city, a request of the mayor, something that will result in the savings of lives, nothing more important than that,” said Senate President John Cullerton.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein says that speeding cameras in these areas are focused on helping to protect pedestrians. The truth of the matter is that slowing down drivers can help to save lives on our roadways, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and motorists.

Even when cameras aren't peering down on license plated and speedometers, drivers are asked to remain cautious while driving. Speed limits are there to make our roadways safer. Speeding is a quick way to increase your risks of an accident. Make your New Year's resolution to abide by all posted speed limits and you can even save some lives along the way.

Continue reading "New Year's Resolution: Slowing Down to Reduce Risks of Chicago Car Accidents" »

This is the third entry of a 6-part blog where our Chicago car accident attorneys are discussing New Year's resolutions that you can use to help make our roadways safer for everyone. Usually, residents will make resolutions to quit smoking or to lose weight. But how about making a New Year's resolution that everyone can benefit from this year, pledging to practice safer and sober driving habits.

In this blog, we will be discussing the dangers of drunk driving and asking you to make the pledge to stay sober behind the wheel to help reduce the risks of a fatal alcohol-related car accident in Chicago in 2012. Take the recent accident that made national headlines, for example, in which a drunk Chicago driver allegedly swerved off of the roadway, ran into some trees and slammed into the Chicago’s Gresham District police station. Reports indicate that the driver sped away from the police station after the crash, but officers were able to catch up with the man just a few blocks away.

The man is being charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident, according to the New York Daily News.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the number of drunk driving arrests in the state has decreased in the last year. Although a reduction, the dangerous truth is that there are still far too many people dying on our roadways because of the carelessness of intoxicated drivers.

According to the most recent statistics, the number of drunk driving busts have decreased by more than 15 percent from 2007 to 2010. The number of alcohol-related accidents has decreased by nearly 35 percent during this same time.

Some people point to the increase in DUI enforcement efforts and stricter laws as the cause of this decrease while others believe that it's a direct result of the downturn of the economy.

Stricter DUI laws have in fact decreased the number of drunk driving busts. The first wave of decreases came with the new DUI laws of the 1980s and the 1990s. In 1997, our state reduced its legal blood-alcohol content limit to 0.08 from 0.10. From 1996 to 1999, the number of arrests went from just under 45,000 to about 50,000. The number of arrests remained stagnant at 50,000 for a number of years until a notable decrease in 2008, which was around the start of the economic downtown. As the economy recovers, experts believe that the number of DUI arrests and accidents will increase.

We're asking all motorists in the state to make their New Year's resolution to stay sober behind the wheel. We're not saying you have to stay sober, we're just saying you should as you drive. Be sure to always designate a sober driver if you know you'll be going out and drinking. Have a safe and Happy 2012 and be responsible behind the wheel. Your good decisions can help to save lives.

Continue reading "New Year's Resolutions: Reducing Risks of Alcohol-Related Car Accidents in Chicago" »

Officials are asking drivers throughout the country to take a pledge to drive cell phone-free! Distraction.gov offers drivers a pledge to take as we enter the New Year. There are a number of distractions in which a driver can engage in while behind the wheel. Safety advocates are asking drivers to curb these distractions in an attempt to make our roadways safer for everyone.

The pledge asks drivers to never use a cell phone or a text messaging device while driving, to be a good passenger, and to speak up if a driver is engaging in distractions behind the wheel. Help spread the word to get friends and family members to join the commitment. The more drivers who take this pledge, it's less likely that we'll see distraction-related car accidents in Chicago.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand just how dangerous distractions are. In 2010, there were roughly 3,100 people in the U.S. who died because of distraction-related traffic accidents. According to Jesse White, the Secretary of State, the Distracted Driving Task Force was created in 2009 to help stop these types of accidents. Later, the task force helped to pass legislation banning the use of text messaging devices for all drivers. The group also helped to make it illegal for drivers to use a cell phone while driving through construction zones and through school zones.

The number of fatal traffic accidents that involved a distracted driver has increased from 8 percent in 2004 to more than 10 percent in 2008. White urges officials to continue on in their efforts to help educate and to raise awareness within the public about this dangerous driver behavior.

According to Cyber Drive Illinois, Driver Distractions Include:

-Sending, receiving and reading text messages.

-Making phone calls or answering phone calls.

-Changing the CD, adjusting with the radio or working an MP3 player.

-Smoking.

-Eating.

-Drinking.

-Writing or reading.

-Messing with GPS devices or other road maps.

-Reaching for something in the glove compartment.

-Engaging in conversation with passengers.

-Cleaning the inside of your windshield.

-Grooming; applying makeup, brushing your hair, etc.

-Using eye drops or messing with your contact lenses.

-Shaving.

-Doing your nails.

-Watching a video.

Distractions can cause a driver to take his or her eyes off of the roadway, to take their hands off the steering wheel, or to take their mind off of the task at hand -- driving. As we are well into the winter holiday travel season, drivers are asked to be cautious, alert and focused behind the wheel to avoid causing a distraction-related accident. We would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday season and ask that you include a conversation about distracted driving at this year's holiday gatherings.

Continue reading "Take Pledge to Curb Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Chicago!" »

A fatal car accident in St. Charles ended in tragedy after a young man killed his friend in an alleged drunk-driving accident, according to the Chicago Tribune. The accident happened in 2009, and since then officials have decided to re-sentence him. The re-sentencing comes after the man's grandmother alerted authorities that he has been recently arrested for underage drinking. The young man was found guilty on charges of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI for the 2009 accident. His blood alcohol concentration reported to be three times over the legal limit of 0.08. In the accident, the driver slammed his SUV into a tree in the middle of the night.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that young drivers are at high risks for car accidents through the holiday season. When these individuals are let out of school, a good deal of them will consume alcohol, although they're not old enough to, and jump behind the wheel. It's important for parents to keep a close eye on their young drivers during this year's winter break. Make sure you know where your children are, who they're with and what they're doing at all times.

Under the charges, the young driver could potentially have faced nearly 15 years behind bars. Instead, the judge sentenced him to six months in jail. He was allowed to serve his time over the course of three summers so that his jail time would not get in the way of his college education. Under the recent violation of probation, the young man was faced with a $10,000 bond. Prosecutors are urging the judge to give the young man prison time for this offense because it involved alcohol, again. When someone violates their probation, a judge is allowed to re-sentence an offender and can give them the full sentence from the original conviction, which was 14 years in prison.

The holidays are a busy time on our roadways and teenagers are at higher risks for car accidents than more experienced drivers. As these young drivers gear up for winter break and road trips, parents are urged to talk to them about safe driving habits.

Holiday Driving Tips from AT&T for Teenagers:

-Make safety your number one call. Wireless phones are distraction, both hand-held and hands-free. Don't talk while driving. Instead of answering your phone behind the wheel, wait until you've stopped and call the person back.

-Ask passengers to help you out. Ask a passenger to change the radio station, to change the CD, to make/answer a phone call or to help you with directions.

-If you're riding solo and not able to ask a passenger for help, wait until you've come to a complete stop to do any other those tasks.

-Never ever drink and drive! Teens are already four times more likely to get into a car accident than older age groups of drivers. Add alcohol into the mix and those risks increase significantly.

-Drivers should never text message, take pictures, record video or watch television/videos while driving.

-Eat your food at a table, not in the driver's seat. If you're traveling with a passenger, take turns driving so the other can eat.

-Avoid having emotional or stressful conversations at the wheel.

-Avoid rubbernecking. Let your passengers see the sights while you focus on driving.

-Pause the conversation when driving in dangerous areas, like work zones, poor weather conditions or heavy traffic.

Teenagers are asked to be cautious on our roadways through the remainder of 2011 and well into 2012. Car accidents are preventable with safe driving habits and caution behind the wheel. Enjoy winter break and we'll see you next year!

Continue reading "Young Driver Faces Prison Sentence after Fatal Car Accident in St. Charles: Parents Warned" »

As recently reported, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is pushing for a ban on cell phone use by drivers. According to CNN, most states are unlikely to adopt a ban on hands-free devices. In 35 states, drivers are banned from texting at the wheel. In another nine states, drivers are banned from talking on a hand-held cell phone at the wheel. But no drivers in the country are banned from using hands-free devices.

A recent landmark study from the National Safety Council (NSC) concludes that hands-free devices are just as dangerous as talking on a cell phone without a hands-free capability. States have been regulating distracting behavior for drivers since 2000, but everyone's overlooked the dangers of hands-free devices. It could very well be that hands-free devices are just as dangerous in causing distraction-related car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

"It's going to take a long time for legislatures to pass laws, and a long time for states to begin to enforce the laws, and then a long time for behavior to start to change," said Barbara Harsha of the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that lawmakers are hesitant to make changes to road laws because of the anticipated backlash. Many residents throughout the United States have voiced a concern fighting against government intrusions on personal freedoms. Take the seat belt laws for example. The first seat belt laws passed back in the 1980s. Currently, there are 85 percent of drivers across the U.S. who buckle up on a daily basis. States were slow to follow the trend, many not enacting seat belt laws until recent years. Although residents aren't likely to adopt the safe driving behaviors regulated by the government, drivers will come around eventually, studies show.

According to David Adkins of The Council of State Governments, state governments are unlikely going to jump on board for the full ban of cell phones at the wheel. He goes on to say that most lawmakers understand that this prohibition isn't realistic for most drivers. Between picking up the kids, planning dinner and scheduling meetings, all too many drivers rely on some sort of electronic connection at the wheel.

According to the National Safety Council, car accidents are the number one cause of death in the U.S. for people ages 3- to 24-years-old. Each year since 1994, between 39,000 and 46,000 people died every year because of car accidents.

Distractions at the wheel have joined the list for the top contributors for fatal car accidents along with speeding. About a quarter of all fatal accidents involve a driver using a cell phone. In 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed on U.S. roadways because of distraction-related accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes that at any given moment, more than 10 percent of drivers are on the phone behind the wheel.

The NSC study concluded that multitasking is a myth, and that no one can partake in two different activities while offering the same amount of attention to each as if they were only engaging in one. This includes talking on a hands-free phone and driving.

Effects of hands-free phone use at the wheel:

-Limits the portions of the road we can see at once. Drivers focus on smaller areas when juggling another activity with driving.

-Response times are slowed significantly.

-Drivers have been proven to swerve more.

-Drivers are four times more likely to get into an accident.

Lawmakers believe that they're helping to preserve road safety by prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones and text messaging devices for drivers.

Continue reading "Hands-Free Phone Devices Risky, Could Cause Car Accidents in Illinois" »

As we recently reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, car accidents are more common during the winter season than any other time of the year. During this time, drivers fail to adjust their driving habits to accommodate for the weather conditions. Drivers are prone to spin-out accidents and other ice and snow-related car accidents this time of year. The winter season also produces an increase in fatal traffic accidents. But regardless of the season, drivers face alarming risks for car accidents all year long.

Transportation officials oftentimes report on the alarmingly high risks that teenage drivers face on our roadways. Yes, car accidents have been reported as the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. But did you know that traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for individuals aged 3- to 34-years-old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)?

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that all motorists are at a significant risk for a car accident every time they get into a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, these risks are much higher during the winter and through the holiday season. These types of accidents among young drivers drastically contribute to one of the top causes of "Years of Life Lost." This is a category that calculates deaths and fatality causes based on the number of years that individuals have left to live. Since motor-vehicle accidents take the lives of so many people between the ages of 3- and 34-year-old, its ranking in the "Years of Life Lost" category is alarmingly high, ranking in at third place behind only heart disease and cancer across all age groups.

While problems regarding congenital anomalies are the top cause of death for toddlers, and malignant cancer and heart disease are the top causes of death for people aged 35-years-old and older, motor-vehicle accidents rank as the number one cause of death for individuals from 3- to 34-years-old. This is a large group of individuals who are killed in completely preventable accidents.

There is no good reason for the leading cause of death to be careless accidents, such as traffic crashes. As we are in the winter holiday season, please exercise extreme caution on our roadways. The roadways will be full of vacationing motorists. Along with this increase in traffic flow, we'll be dealing with icy and snowy weather. Since both of these characteristics contribute to an increase in traffic accidents, we urge all motorists to avoid driving if possible. If you've got places to go and people to see, then we urge you to place all of your attention on the roadway and to practice safe and defensive driving habits.

We are reminding people that we are in the winter driving season and conditions can change very quickly. And they need to slow down and increase the distance and give themselves extra time on their trip to make sure they arrive safely," said Guy Tridgell with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Continue reading "Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere a Top Killer for 3- to 34-Years-Old" »

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made a groundbreaking proposal this week for all states to prohibit the use of cell phones by drivers, according to My Fox Chicago.

The recommendation was presented at a recent meeting to discuss a severe distraction-related accident that happened in Gray Summit, Missouri in 2010 where two people were killed and another dozen were injured. Officials have determined that the driver that allegedly caused the accident was sending and receiving text messages just seconds before the accident. Nearly 3,100 people were killed in distraction-related car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere throughout 2010. Officials believe that this new measure could help to significantly reduce these numbers.

"A combination of enforceable state laws, high visibility enforcement and supporting communication campaigns can reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers distracted by the use of portable electronic devices," wrote the NTSB.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that that in state of Illinois, drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from talking on a cell phone while driving. All drivers are banned from text messaging at the wheel in the state, according to the Governor Highway Safety Association. Drivers in Chicago are banned from using cell phones while driving. These laws were implemented to help to reduce the number of distraction-related car accidents throughout the state. Still, too few follow the rules and many visitors are oblivious.

A nationwide rule would also help law enforcement; officers report current laws often make it difficult to tell whether a driver is texting (illegal) or dialing a phone (often legal).

“This recommendation by NTSB is a national call to action to end distracted driving due to cell phone use. This is a growing public safety threat that needs to be addressed by legislators, employers and every person who operates a motor vehicle on our nation’s roadways,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council (NSC).

The NTSB also urges cell phone manufacturers to take steps to help reduce the usage of cell phones by drivers "by developing features that discourage their use" or features that can at least limit the ability of users to operate their devices while the vehicle is in motion. The proposal would not affect the use of these devices by passengers.

After the meeting regarding the Gray Summit accident, the NTSB suggested that all states and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of all types of cell phones for drivers. The Board also suggests that states use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) model of high-visibility enforcement efforts to push these new laws. Lastly, the NTSB suggests that states launch communication campaigns to help spread the word about the new law and about the enforcement of it. These campaigns should also be accompanied by information regarding the risks and dangers that are associated with the use of portable electronic devices, especially cell phones, by drivers.

"This (distracted driving) is becoming the new DUI. It's becoming epidemic," said NTSB member Robert Sumwalt.

Continue reading "NTSB Proposes Nationwide Cell Phone Ban to Help Prevent Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere" »

Talking on a cell phone while driving is illegal in our city, but drivers still blab on their phones and increase the risks of a Chicago car accident for everyone.

To get a better idea on just how popular this activity is, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a new report, "National Distracted Driving Telephone Survey Finds Most Drivers Answer the Call, Hold the Phone, and Continue to Drive." This is the first study of its kind and seeks the common attitude of the public regarding distracted driving. Roughly 10,000 drivers were surveyed in this study.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that a majority of surveyed drivers admitted to answering incoming phone calls while driving. Only about 5 percent admitted to making phone calls on all car rides, about 10 percent on most trips and more than 25 percent on some trips. Of these talking drivers, less than 10 percent said they'd answer and then pull over, about 10 percent said they'd answer and call back, only 3 percent said they'd pull over and then answer. Less that 10 percent said they'd hand the phone to a passenger to deal with it. The study found that not only do most people answer while driving, but nearly half of drivers admitted to holding the phone in their hand while driving. Less than 20 percent said they use a hands-free device.

One of the biggest factors in a driver's decision to answer or not had to do with the callers importance. Rarely did a surveyed driver consider personal safety, traffic conditions or laws when deciding on when they should answer the phone or not.

Although most drivers talk on the phone, nearly all of them said that when they were passengers they felt uncomfortable while riding with a driver who was making phone calls, text messaging or sending e-mails at the wheel. About a third of drivers said they felt uncomfortable even when a driver was messing with a GPS system while driving. These feelings increased with age. Younger drivers were less likely to feel threatened by this behavior.

Safety issues and hand-held devices:

-More than 30 percent of drivers said they feel unsafe riding with a driver who is talking on a hand-held cell phone.

-A majority of passengers are willing to say something about their worry about a texting driver.

-About 90 percent of those who were surveyed say that they support laws that prohibit drivers from texting.

-About 60 percent say they support laws banning cell phone use by drivers.

-Support for anti-texting and anti-cell phone laws is higher among older drivers.

Regardless of what other drivers are doing on our roadways and what passengers may think about their actions behind the wheel, all drivers are urged to keep distractions at bay while navigating our roadways. Distraction-related car accidents took the lives of nearly 3,100 people in 2010. These accidents are 100 percent preventable with a little driver discipline.

Continue reading "Most Drivers Talk on Cell Phones, Increasing Risks for Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere. says NHTSA" »

As technology increases and cell phones and other hand-held devices become more capable and convenient, drivers will continue to face increased risks of distraction-related car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere if we're not careful. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a new report to calculate the exact number of accidents that reported hand-held device use as a main cause. This is a new measure that was introduced for the 2010 statistics -- which the government released this week. The new Driver Electronic Use Report illustrates the increase in these accidents from 2009 to 2010.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that the number of drivers who talk on cell phones while driving remained just about the same. But the number of texting and hand-held device-using drivers increased. The report also states that nearly 10 percent of all drivers are using some type of phone, either hand-held or hands-free, at any given time.

Parents are urged to talk with their teen drivers about the dangers that these activities present to young drivers, as well as other motorists on the road. Drivers age 16- to 24-years-old made up the age group that was most likely to be engaging in one of these activities behind the wheel. Don't worry about grandma and grandpa though, they've got lower rates of use than any other age group of driver.

Some drivers think that headsets are better for talking on the phone while driving. This activity also increased among most categories of drivers in 2010. Once again, the largest increase was experienced by drivers who were 16- to 24-years-old.

Text-messaging is on the rise and more and more drivers are being observed engaging in the dangerous behavior behind the wheel. This was also another category that experienced an increase among drivers across the board, including, drivers traveling on weekday, drivers in the Midwest, drivers in the Northeast, drivers in the West, female drivers, drivers of passenger cars and white drivers. Surprise, this was also a driving habit that increased the most among drivers who were 16- to 24-years-old.

The study researched nearly 50,000 vehicles to draw these conclusions, so you can be assured that these 50,000 random drivers were displaying the driving habits of most Americans. The NHTSA reports that there were nearly 3,100 people killed in 2010 because of distraction-related traffic accidents throughout the country. These accidents are completely preventable with a little bit of driver self-discipline.

As the holiday season draws near and traffic increases in Chicago and throughout the rest of the state, drivers are asked to be cautious behind the wheel, to curb distractions and to place their full attention on the roadways. Let's stop the increasing trend of driver distractions and help to make our roadways a safer place for everyone.

Continue reading "NHTSA Releases Driver Electronic Device Use Data: Illustrating Increased Risks for Accidents in Chicago, Nation" »

Local authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a man from suburban Chicago after he reportedly slammed his vehicle into a tree. That's not why he's wanted though, officers believe that the Illinois car accident took the life of his dog, according to the Chicago Tribune. The man is not only facing charges of failing to provide care for his injured pup, but for leaving the scene of an accident and for driving on a suspended license. Local authorities report that a $50,000 arrest warrant is in effect.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys have previously talked about the risks of distraction involving pets inside your vehicle. We urge all residents to be careful when transporting animals over the holiday season. We understand that our pets are members of our families too, and are often a part of our holiday gatherings. But please make sure that your pets are properly restrained when driving. Pets can cause deadly accidents on our roadways.

A recently study, conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, has determined that driving with an unrestrained pup in the car is more dangerous that a lot of people may think, according to Motor Trend. More than 20 percent of the 1,000 drivers who were surveyed by AAA admitted to driving with their pet unrestrained in the vehicle. More than 50 percent of drivers admitted to petting their dog while driving.

Even more alarming statistics regarding pet passengers:

-Nearly 25 percent of drivers admit to using their arm or hand to restrict their dog's movement when hitting the brakes.

-Nearly 20 percent admitted to using their arms and hands to stop a dog from jumping from the backseat to the front-passenger seat.

-Nearly 20 percent of drivers say that they in fact reach into the backseat of their car to interact with their dog while they're driving.

-About 17 percent of drivers say that they even allow their dog to sit in their lap or they hold them while driving.

-Almost 15 percent of all drivers admitted to handing over food or doggie treats to their pup while in the vehicle.

-Just about 5 percent confessed to playing with their dog while trying to drive.

-Another 5 percent admitting to taking photos of their dog in the car while driving.

“An unrestrained 10-pound dog in a crash at 50 mph will exert roughly 500 pounds of pressure, while an unrestrained 80-pound dog in a crash at only 30 mph will exert 2400 pounds of pressure,” said Beth Mosher, AAA Director of Public Affairs.

Drivers are urged to think of their pets as more of a passenger than as a pet when driving in a motor vehicle. Your pup should not only be restrained for their safety, but also to help curb distraction as you navigate through the busy holiday traffic.

Continue reading "Chicago Man Faces Charges after Illinois Car Accident with Unrestrained Dog in Vehicle" »

Illinois injury lawyer David Abels has obtained a $100,000 insurance policy limits settlement on behalf of a client that was injured in a Kane County auto accident.

The collision which took place on June 20, 2011, at approximately 4:13 a.m. The plaintiff was injured when the automobile he was driving was hit head-on by a vehicle driven a driver insured by State Farm.

Our client was driving northbound on Farnsworth Avenue north of Reckinger Road in Aurora, Illinois. The defendant was driving his automobile southbound on Farnsworth north of Reckinger. The at fault motorist was distracted while driving and crossed the center turn lane of Farnsworth, entering the northbound lane that the victim was occupying. The negligent driver struck our client in a head-on collision while facing south in a northbound lane.

The Aurora Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. After speaking to both parties, the investigating officer placed the defendant at fault for the collision. The investigating officer cited the defendant for improper lane usage and also determined that he was distracted while driving. He also admitted to the responding officer that he consumed two mixed drinks earlier in the night. Based on that information, the investigating officer administered field sobriety tests which the defendant passed.

We argued to the insurance carrier that their insured failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, failed to pay proper attention to the road conditions, failed to stay within one lane of traffic, drove southbound in a northbound lane, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including our client.

Following the collision, the plaintiff had an immediate onset of severe chest and abdominal pain.

He was transported by ambulance to Provena Mercy Center’s Emergency Department. Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, a history was taken, he was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed, including CT scans of his abdomen, pelvis, cervical spine, and head. He complained of severe pain in his chest and abdomen. His CT scans showed fluid within the right hemipelvis, soft tissue swelling and induration in the right flank, hepatic steatosis, and a right frontal subgaleal hematoma in his brain. Upon exam, he had peritonitis. Our client required an emergency exploratory laparotomy as a result of his injuries.

Continue reading "Chicago personal injury attorney settles car crash claim for $100,000" »

Recently, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) launched a new Yellow Dot program to save lives on state roadways. This program is a life-saving, safe-traveling program that is used to provide emergency responders with important emergency information for those who have been in a serious car accident in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Department of Aging (IDOA) and IDOT are all teaming up with health departments statewide to raise awareness about this program and to push participation. The program is both federally funded and voluntary, but everyone is encouraged to join.

Our Chicago accident attorneys understand that the Yellow Dot Program can help to save lives in the event of traffic accidents as it easily allows certified individuals to access emergency information for individuals who may be incapacitated by injury. The first hour after an accident can be the most crucial time in making life-saving decisions. With important emergency information available, decisions can be made easier and faster. This hour immediately following an accident is oftentimes referred to as the "Golden Hour."

When an accident happens, paramedics, police officers and firefighters are called to the scene. When these officials arrive, they would normally only know where the accident happened, how many victims were involved and not much more. With the Yellow Dot Program, these responders can have much more useful information upon arrival.

In the Yellow Dot Program, participants get a yellow dot decal for their vehicle. This dot corresponds with a folder labeled with a yellow dot that's located in the vehicle's glove box. In this folder is important information, including the driver's name, a recent photo, medical conditions, medications, allergies, recent surgeries, physician information, emergency contact, etc. With this information, responders can make decisions on how to best treat the victim at the scene and at the hospital.

Time is critical in a serious accident. If responders are aware of the condition of the victim or of any other information in that folder, then they're unable to make decisions regarding necessary treatments to save lives. This information can mean the difference between life and death in a serious accident.

You can sign up for the Yellow Dot Program by visiting any of the participating locations. It only takes a few moments and it could save your life. Once you've signed up for the program and have received your decal, you're to place the yellow dot sticker on the rear windshield on the lower, driver's side. All participating vehicles will place the decal here to make it easy to locate for emergency responders but inconspicuous to passing motorists.

The program was first launched back in 2002 in Connecticut and it is now funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Continue reading "Yellow Dot Program Saves Lives in Serious Car Accidents in Illinois" »

Drivers are urged to prepared, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Unfavorable driving conditions are on the horizon and risks for car accidents in Chicago will be increasing as we head into the New Year. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois State Police (ISP), and Illinois Tollway officials have teamed up to ensure the readiness of the state's winter crews and their emergency equipment; all hands are making sure they're ready for what's to come in the winter season -- snow and ice.

“The historic snowfall amounts last year tested IDOT’s relentless 24/7 operation,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys understand that transportation departments have a responsibility to keep our roadways in safe driving conditions. However, the IDOT, ISP and Illinois Tollway are reminding motorists that drivers have a responsibility, too. When the weather changes and our roadways become more dangerous, drivers are asked to buckle up, slow down accommodate snow plows and keep an emergency kit in their vehicles. IDOT says safety should always be a number one priority on our roadways.

During this winter season, there will be nearly 3,700 workers and about 1,750 pieces of equipment ready to be deployed. In 2009, nearly $85 million was spent removing the snow and spreading more than 562,200 tons of salt on our roadways.

Every winter, the ISP, the Tollway and the IDOT urges drivers to work together to keep our roadways safe.

The Illinois Tollway will have more than 400 workers with nearly 200 snow removal devices ready to tackle the fallen snow and ice storms along the 286-mile Tollway system throughout Northern Illinois. Right now, the Tollway has roughly 80,000 tons of salt and some other snow-removal items, including angular crushed stone and liquid calcium chloride. The Tollway typically uses more than 84,000 tons of salt during a winter season.

Kristi Lafleur, Illinois Tollway Executive Director, says that drivers need to be prepared and cautious on our roadways during the upcoming winter season. She reminds drivers to slow down and to call *999 if they and need of H.E.L.P. as the Illinois Tollway is here to help.

Safe Winter Driving Tips:

-Never crowd a plow. These drivers deal with restricted vision and may not see you.

-Keep an eye out for black ice. Drive slowly through intersections, bridges, off-ramps and other areas prone to black ice.

-Make sure you always have more than a half a tank of gas to prevent freezing.

-When snowy and icy, don't travel unless you absolutely need to.

-Keep an emergency kit in your car.

-Always wear your seat belt.

-Keep a cell phone and a charger in your car.

-Check Illinois travel conditions before venturing out.

Continue reading "Drivers Warned of Winter Risks of Car Accidents in Illinois, says IDOT" »

With the recent daylight savings change, we all gained an hour of sleep, but we also gained some increased risks for car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere. According to a recent podcast from Dr. Val Jones with Healthy Vision, driving during the evening hours increases our risk for an accident.

As the sun sets earlier, drivers are hitting the evening rush hour with some serious risks for an accident. According to a recent study conducted by Road and Travel Magazine, about one in every three drivers admit to having trouble seeing all or most of everything while driving in the dark.

Optometrist Dr. Cristina Schnider says that drivers who have perfect vision even suffer from drastic reduction in visibility during the evening hours. During this time, pupils enlarge and eyes wander around because there isn't as much to focus on. Judging distance during this time is difficult because the eye typically will pull in an object to focus on. This object is usually the windshield. Unfortunately, many drivers don't adjust their driving skills to compensation for these limitations and that's how accidents happen.

It's important to see and focus on what is beyond to windshield. Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that color is more difficult to see during the nighttime, especially in your peripheral vision. Dr. Schnider says that you really only pick up motion in peripheral vision during the evening. For this reason, it's important to scan your surroundings often. John Ulczycki of the National Safety Council also outlined the risks motorists face on our roadways at night.

Ulczycki says that reaction time and visibility is greatly reduced after dark. According to the National Safety Council, about a quarter of travel happens when it's dark out and nearly 50 percent fatal car accidents happen at night. Ulczycki says that drivers oftentimes have a misconception of risk while driving at night. People see fewer hazards during the evening because of visibility reduction. He says that drivers don't adjust their driving skills to compensate for this reduction.

Drivers oftentimes complain about the glare on the windshield and the affect it has on their ability to see the roadway. According to Ulczycki, you should never focus on a vehicle's headlights. It's important for you to look above the headlights of the oncoming car. This will help to maximize your ability to see and your ability to keep an eye on your surroundings.

Dr. Jones and Ulczycki go on to discuss the dangers that our young, teen drivers face on our roadways at night. The per mile accident rate is three times higher for teen drivers after 9:00 p.m. than during the day. This rate is so much higher because, like other drivers, they have reduced visibility at night. The difference between teen drivers and veteran drivers is that the older, more experienced drivers have dealt with this type of driving before. While they're still at risk, these older drivers have more knowledge and experience in handling these situations.

Ulczycki urges parents to spend time with their teen drivers during nighttime driving. Start with quiet residential areas and move your way to expressways. It's important for parents to be confident in their teen's driving skills before unleashing them on the roadways.

It's no secret that driving is more difficult and more dangerous during the evening hours. With the recent turn back of time, drivers are spending more time on our roadways during dark hours. Drivers are urged to be cautious, to be alert and to be safe when driving during the evening.

Continue reading "Daylight Savings Brings More Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

As we recently reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, the risks of car accident are expected to increase as we finish up 2011. Kids will be getting out of school for winter break, visitors will be flocking to the city and residents will be venturing out on holiday vacations. Adding snowy and ice roadways to these conditions makes matters even worse. With all of the holiday vacations planned, we can expect there to be some exhausted drivers on our roadways.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers would like to talk with you about Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. This is a week-long campaign that is put on by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the National Sleep Foundation. This week-long campaign aims to educate and raise awareness in drivers about the dangers of fatigued driving. Drowsy drivers contribute to one out of every six fatal accidents and one in eight accidents resulting in injury. These accidents are 100 percent preventable. The trouble is getting drivers to recognize the symptoms, to understand the risks and to ultimately stop driving dangerously.

"Many of us tend to underestimate the negative effects associated with fatigue and sleep deprivation," said Kathleen Marvaso, a vice president with AAA.

Drowsy driving-related accidents take the lives of more than 1,500 people, injure another 71,000 and contribute to more than 100,000 accidents every year. These accidents cost more than $12 billion annually.

A recently released study from AAA concluded that even though more than 95 percent of drivers see drowsy driving as completely unacceptable, more than a third admitted to doing it themselves at least once in the last 30 days.

“People know that they shouldn’t text or drink when they drive, and that’s great,” says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “However, many don’t realize that driving while drowsy is also very dangerous.”

A poll from the National Sleep Foundation concluded that one out of every ten drivers between the ages of 15- and 46-years-old admitted to driving while drowsy once or twice a week.

Driving while drowsy can drastically hinder your driving abilities. It can slow your reaction time, it can impair your vision, in can slow your ability to process information and it can cause lapses in judgment. Many studies conclude that a driver who has been awake for 20 hours has the same abilities as a driver who is legally drunk.

You may be drowsy and should probably pull over if you:

-Feel irritable.

-Have trouble keeping your eyes open.

-Have trouble keeping your head up.

-Can't remember the last couple miles you've driven.

-Are daydreaming.

-Yawn excessively.

-Swerve in and out of your lane.

-Miss traffic signs, traffic lights, turns and exits.

-Feel restless.

-Feel aggressive.

If you feel any of the symptoms listed above, you're urged to pull over, get some rest, take a break from driving or switch with a passenger.

To help prevent getting drowsy at the wheel, be sure to stop and take a break after every 2 hours or every 100 miles of driving, get plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) before taking a long road trip and never drive during times when you'd normally be sleeping. These accidents are preventable, but it takes an educated driver to recognize the symptoms, to properly assess the situation and to make the proper moves to correct it.

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Push Drowsy Driving Prevention Week!" »

Illinois auto accident attorney Gary Annes has resolved a claim on behalf of a Will County resident for $59,000. The claim arose out of an Illinois auto accident which took place in the area of Weber Road and Grand Haven Circle in Romeoville, on June 15, 2010 at approximately 2:24 p.m. The plaintiff was injured when the automobile she was driving was involved in a multiple car chain reaction rear end collision caused by a vehicle driven by a negligent motorist.

Our client was driving southbound on Weber Road. Traffic in front of the plaintiff came to a stop and she stopped for the traffic in front of her. There were vehicles stopped in front of her and a vehicle stopped behind her.

The defendant failed to stop and/or reduce the speed of his vehicle and rear-ended the vehicle stopped behind our client. The force of the initial impact propelled that vehicle into the plaintiff's vehicle, and the force further pushed her car into the vehicle in front of her.

The Romeoville Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After speaking to all the parties involved in the collision, the investigating officer placed the defendant at fault for the collision. He admitted to the investigating officer that the collision was caused because he did not notice that traffic had stopped in front of him until it was too late. The investigating officer issued traffic citations based on the drivers admission for driving too fast for traffic conditions and failure to reduce the speed of his vehicle.

The at fault driver failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or reduce the speed of his vehicle to avoid a collision, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area.

Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the occurrence at issue, we argued to the defendant's insurance carrier that it was clear that the sole proximate cause of the collision was the negligent conduct of their insured.

Following the collision, the plaintiff had an immediate onset of neck pain, back pain and chest pain. That same day, she was seen at the Edward Hospital’s Emergency Department. There she complained of right sided neck pain, back pain, chest pain and pain in the iliac area. She was diagnosed with cervical strain, right iliac crest pain, and a chest wall contusion.

Over the next few days, her pain increased significantly. On June 21, 2010, she sought follow-up treatment at a chiropractic office. She was still having back pain and neck pain. She was also suffering from severe headaches, left leg pain and left ankle pain. She started therapy, which consisted of spinal adjustments, electric stimulation, and ultrasound. After three days of treatment, our cleint realized that her injuries were severe so she decided to get a second opinion from an orthopedic physician.

My client next treated with a medical doctor in Naperville in June 2010. At that time, she had complaints of neck pain, back pain, left leg pain, and left ankle pain. The physician ordered cervical and lumbar MRIs, as well as an MRI of her left ankle. The scans showed the plaintiff had sustained disc bulges at 2 cervical levels and one bulge at her lumbar level.

After receiving the MRI results, the client was next seen at a physical therapist's office in July, 2010. At that time, she was still having complaints of neck pain, back pain, headaches, left leg pain, and left ankle pain, which caused very limited and painful mobility. A physical exam found that the lower back pain caused radiating pain to her left lower extremities as well as her posterior right thigh. At that time, she started a course of physical therapy that consisted of manual therapy, electric stimulation, ultrasound therapy and therapeutic exercise. She completed ten (10) sessions of physical therapy.

On July 20, 2010 the plaintiff was seen by another medical doctor. She was diagnosed with low back pain, lumbar radiculopathy, upper back pain, cervical radiculopathy and neck pain. The doctor recommended additional physical therapy and epidural injections.

She began an additional course of physical therapy. Her treatment consisted of manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular reeducation, ultrasound and electric stimulation. She attended twenty-one (21) sessions of therapy which ended on December 1, 2010. She also underwent several epidural steroid injections.

In addition to the $59,000 settlement, we were able to collect over $16,000 in medical payments from her own auto insurance policy, bringing her grand total to over $75,000.

Continue reading "Chicago accident lawyer obtains $59,000 car crash settlement" »

Four children and an adult were sent to the hospital and were listed in critical condition because of a rollover car accident in Illinois on Interstate 94. The accident happened when another vehicle reportedly cut off an SUV on the interstate, according to the Chicago Tribune. It all took place just north of Armitage Avenue just after 8:00 p.m.

Preliminary reports of the accident state that the female driver of the SUV swerved when she was cut off by the other vehicle. The swerving caused her SUV to flip over and to roll numerous times. The other vehicle didn't stop for the accident and officers don't have any information regarding the fleeing driver.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand how serious interstate accidents can be. Traveling at such high rates of speed can produce fatal injuries when an accident occurs. All of the SUV's occupants were wearing seat belts. All four of the passengers were under the age of 17.

The Chicago Fire Department reports that the driver was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Three of the children were transported to Children's Memorial Hospital and a fourth child was transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital.

Another accident over the weekend killed a 6-year-old girl as she walked to a nearby Halloween party. A 16-year-old family friend was injured as well as the two used a crosswalk to cross the street at the intersection of Loomis and 70th in the Englewood neighborhood, according to the Huff Post.

The 36-year-old driver was heading south on Loomis when the accident happened. According to accident reports, the woman got out of her vehicle after the accident and held the young girl until police and paramedics got to the scene. The 16-year-old pedestrian suffered from a broken arm.

The 6-year-old was later pronounced dead at the Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

The driver has been cited for failing to yield to the young girls at the crosswalk, for driving without insurance and for driving too fast to the current conditions.

“Cars come flying down this street doing damn near 50, sometimes 60 miles per hour. There’s accidents all the time at that corner. They need a stop sign there, or at least a speed bump, or something,” said a resident of the Englewood neighborhood.

These accidents serve as an important reminder to keep our children safe as the year wraps up. With the holiday season approaching, children will have plenty of time of time away from school and plenty of time to get into accidents if we're not careful. Parents are urged to keep an eye on young children as they enjoy some time away from school. Motorists are also urged to keep an eye out for these little pedestrians. Kids love to play outside. That's nothing new. Unfortunately, these young ones may not be able to comprehend the dangers and the functions of passing traffic. For this reason, it's our job as drivers to keep a watchful eye out for those on foot, especially when traveling through residential areas.

Continue reading "Holiday Seasons Means Less School and More Risks for Child Injury in Chicago" »

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), its 5-star safety rating system will soon have tested virtually every new make and model car on the road.

The administration began new testing last year that uses a 5-star rating system and a combined rating that reflects the overall results of a trio of safety tests. The ratings help tell how well a vehicle would protect an occupant in the event of a car accident in Chicago and elsewhere. The new rating system also looks at available crash avoidance technologies.

The test ratings will be conducted 80 percent of the new 2012 model vehicles that are expected to hit U.S. roadways. Our Chicago car accident attorneys encourage consumers to pay attention to rollover risks of vehicles as well. This test is a new portion of the program and will be testing more than 90 percent of all new model vehicles.

There were 74 new model vehicles that will be put through the new, rigorous testing. The test will examine the safety features of about 42 passenger cars, more than 20 sport utility vehicles, two vans and nearly 10 pickup trucks. The new tests will also calculate a single safety rating for each vehicle which will allow consumers to narrow their search by considering the one overall score before looking into individual ratings.

Some testing has already begun. The NHTSA has already tested vehicles that have carry-over designs from the 2011 to the 2012 models. These ratings are already available to you online at www.SafeCar.gov.

"Our 5-star ratings program is a critical resource to help consumers make the best possible decisions about the cars they want to buy," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

LaHood says that this program is so important because it helps set the bar for vehicle manufacturers. Consumers should remember "More Stars -- Safer Cars!"

In addition to the new overall rating, the NHTSA will also be adding "crash avoidance" to its safe car checklist. For the new model vehicles, about 68 come equipped with this technology. The technology is available as a lane departure warning (LDW) or a forward collision warning (FCW) or as both in one. Last year there were less than 50 vehicles that had this technology. Now that the NHTSA is including it in its inspection, nearly 70 vehicles come equipped. More specifically, a dozen have the LDW, nearly 20 come with the FCW and about 40 vehicles have both.

Consumers have been using the 5-star rating system for more than 30 years now. This rating has a big effect on how well a vehicle is going to sell. As the program continues to strengthen its requirements and its rating standards, vehicle designers will have to come to the table with even more features to help avoid a car accident and to keep vehicle occupants safe in the event of one.

Drivers are urged to pay attention to these types of ratings as the vehicle you drive can mean the difference between life and death in the event of an accident. Residents are urged to check out the same website to learn about recent recalls. Even after these safety ratings are completed, a vehicle can hit the recall list because of malfunctioning equipment. Stay on top of your car's maintenance and your car's recalls to help ensure the safety of you and your passengers on our roadways.

Continue reading "New Rating System to Decrease Risks of Injury during Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

A recent Illinois car accident in Effingham County took the life of a 3-year-old when the SUV she was in crashed on Interstate 57, according to The Effingham Daily News. According to the County Coroner, the little girl was pronounced dead at the scene just an hour after it happened.

The accident happened at mile marker 168 when the SUV ran off the road. Once it left the roadway, it flipped a number of times and finally came to a stop in the ditch. Emergency responders reported that the little girl died from traumatic head injuries and the news article claims that she was not properly restrained in a child's car seat.

These are always tragic cases. Our Chicago child injury lawyers know the importance of properly buckling children during every single car ride. Car seats have been proven to save young lives. As a matter of fact, parents and guardians of children in Illinois are required by state law to keep children under the age of 8 properly buckled into a child restraint. If you're caught by an officer with a child who is not buckled in properly, you could face a $75 fine, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The driver of the vehicle was transported to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. There were seven other passengers in that SUV. They were all transported to the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and it's recently released FAQ page, traffic accidents are the number one cause of death for children who are 3-years-old and older. There were more than 1,000 children under the age of 13 who were killed in traffic accidents in 2009. Nearly 800 of these fatalities were child passengers.

To determine which seat your child should use, review the following:

-Infants and toddlers should be placed in a rear-facing car seat in back seat until they're at least 2-years-old or until they've reached the seat's height and weight requirement.

-Children who are 4- to 8-years-old should ride in a harness-equipped front-facing child seat for as long as they can until they exceed the seat's height and weight requirements.

-Children who are over the age of 8 should be seated in a belt-positioning booster seat until they're able to fit properly in an adult seat. Once a child is 4'9" or at least 80 pounds, they should be moved to an adult seat with a seat belt.

Child seats are difficult for some people to use. The NHTSA reports that from 2002 to 2003 there were approximately 70 percent of children who were improperly placed in child restraints. You can visit one of Illinois' Child Seat Inspection Locations to have a certified technician look at your car and your child's seat to make sure that everything is properly installed. We urge all residents to properly buckle in children during every car ride. A properly used seat can mean the difference between life and death in the event of an accident.

Continue reading "Effingham Car Accident Kills 3-Year-Old Chicago Passenger" »

A Chicago woman was driving her Envoy Excel at about 25 miles per hour when suddenly the airbags deployed. Now, the woman suffers not only from a swollen arm, but also is enduring hefty bills for a rental vehicle while her SUV is being looked at to determine what happened, according to FOX Chicago.

The car's manufacturer reported that the investigation could take a few weeks to a few months. But the driver believes the company is trying to stall, and hiding what could be another case of recalled vehicles in Illinois and elsewhere.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that the woman had her vehicle towed to the nearest GMC dealership so that they could get to the root of the problem. The service manager said he was instructed by corporate management not to touch the vehicle.

"We're sitting there trying to figure out what happened. There's no malfunction, nothing's broken nothing hit us, we hit nothing the road was clear,” said the driver of the Envoy Excel. She also says she has owned the vehicle for six years, but after this incident she never wants to drive a GMC again.

Reports indicate that the dealership has seen this problem before, but is not authorized to release any information regarding these incidents. The Envoy Excel has been the subject of several recalls, including faulty ball bearings and malfunctioning door latches.

GMC has agreed to pay for the reimbursement of the car rental only if the incident is proven to be their fault. Until then, the Chicago woman is stuck footing the $200 a week rental bill.

Typically how it works is the registered owner of a vehicle will receive a recall notice once a manufacturer has discovered dangerous and malfunctioning issues with a vehicle. Unfortunately, sometimes vehicle owners don't get these recall notifications in time, if ever. We have reported here before on the strides the industry has made in vehicle safety. But we have also reported how new technology can create hazards.

Sometimes those hazards involve in-car technology such as navigation and entertainment systems. And sometimes those hazards can result from vehicle defects.

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act allows the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue specific vehicle safety standards to help vehicles up to par and to keep motorists safe. These standards require vehicle manufacturers to recall vehicles that have not met federal safety standards or have been found to have safety-related defects. Since this act was enacted in 1966, the auto industry has recalled more than 400 million vehicles, nearly 50 million tires, more than 65 million pieces of motor vehicle equipment and more than 40 million child car seats.

Here are some recent major recalls:

-Suzuki Recalling Grand Vitara, XL-7 SUVs: Accelerator Cable.

-Ford Escape Recall: Seat Belt.

-Volvo Recall: Fuel Leak.

-Chrysler: Jeep Liberty

-Ford Recalls: 2001-2003 Windstar Vans.

-Nissan Recalls: 2.5 Million Units.

-Honda: Ignition Flaw.

-Subaru Recalls: 2004 Models.

-Toyota Tacoma Pickups: Fuel Leak.

You are urged to visit safecar.gov to ensure that you or your family's vehicle has not been issued a safety recall. This website allows you to search for any recalls regarding your specific car through the make, model and year of manufacture.

Continue reading "Defective Airbags Cause Financial Headache and Injury in Chicago" »

There were two serious Illinois auto accidents on the Dan Ryan Expressway this past weekend, according to the Chicago Tribune.

One of the collisions involve a fatality. The crash occurred on Saturday around 9:30 AM in the area of 89th St. in the southbound lanes. The incident involved three vehicles and one person was killed, while three others were injured.

The victim fatally injured, a 45-year-old Chicago man who resides in the 2600 block of E 76th Street, was taken to Roseland Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. Two other people involved were rushed by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, both in critical condition. The other person injured was also critical and was transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, according to fire department officials.

The motorist killed was driving a 2001 BMW SUV when he was reportedly changing lanes. Unfortunately, the driver of a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix changed lanes at the same time, and the two cars collided with one of them striking a 2011 GMC Yukon. The victim's BMW drove across all of the lanes and slammed into a concrete barrier before flipping. The Yukon also hit the wall.

The Illinois State Police are handling the crash reconstruction, and their investigation is still ongoing.

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

The above accident was unfortunately not the only role over on the Dan Ryan this weekend. Early Sunday morning around 3:15 AM a suspected DUI motorist flipped her car over when trying to exit the Dan Ryan at 18th St. moving southbound. State police handled this accident as well.

Four people were injured in the rollover, with one person being ejected from the vehicle. Luckily, none of the injuries are reportedly life-threatening. Paramedics from the Chicago fire Department took all of the injured to local hospitals in serious to critical condition.

The alleged intoxicated motorist had two warrants outstanding for her arrest.

It has not been reported if there is a Chicago injury lawyer involved in either of the above accidents yet, or if any civil lawsuits have been filed.

Just before the weekend started, another Illinois auto accident resulted in injuries to a 31-year-old Chicago resident. He remains in serious condition due to his Ford Explorer getting trapped under a semi truck that reportedly attempted an illegal turn in Rosemont on Thursday. The driver had to be extricated by rescue personnel and was taken by ambulance to Lutheran General in Park Ridge.

The crash occurred by the Lee Street exit ramp coming off of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway around 7:50 AM. The truck driver, a 32-year-old Riverdale resident, was not hurt. Investigating police officers ticketed him with failure to yield while making a left turn. The Rosemont police handled the investigation.

The location had to be closed to through traffic for five hours during the crash investigation.

Continue reading "Deadly weekend for Chicago car crashes on the Dan Ryan 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" »

"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.

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" »

Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police, the Associated General Contractors of Illinois and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) all joined together to unveil the new National Work Zone Memorial Wall at the Illinois State Fair. This wall aims to recognize the workers that we've lost in work zones accidents in Illinois. The wall will also be used to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving habits for all motorists through our construction zones. The wall will act as a remembrance for the women, men and children who've lost their lives in accidents that occurred in construction zones throughout the country.

As we recently reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys Blog, distracted driving is one of the top causes for car accident-related construction accidents. Motorists are asked to place all of their attention on the road when passing through construction zones not only to prevent a car accident, but to help save the life of a roadside construction worker. As a reminder, Illinois state law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones in construction zones.

“The National Work Zone Safety Memorial symbolizes the collective efforts and commitment of all states for the ongoing challenge to prevent work zone crashes,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

The wall is filled with the names of those who we've lost in work zone accidents. The visualization of those that we've lost is being used to increase motorist's awareness of the dangers of accidents in road construction zones.

ISP Operations Col. Rob Haley would like to remind everyone that one work zone death is way too many and the IDOT will be continuing their effort to bring the number of these fatalities down to zero.

The DOT notes that its current efforts are in fact helping to reduce the risks of a fatal work zone accident. According to Illinois state traffic accident data, 2009 and 2010 illustrated two years in a row in which the state witnessed less than 1,000 traffic fatalities. These two years have been recorded as a record low dating back to 1921.

IDOT says that this accomplishment is a large part a result of its latest media campaigns, a number of infrastructure improvements, signing enhancements, safety engineering and automated work zone speed limit enforcement, just to name a few.

The IDOT campaign "See Orange. Slow Down. Save Lives " is one of the media campaigns that have launched to help raise awareness of safe driving habits in these construction areas. This campaign includes visual and audio PSAs used to send the transportation department's safe-driving message to motorists across the state.

Here are some safe driving tips to help you get through a construction zone without any problems:

-Slow down when you're approaching a construction zone.

-Follow all posted speed limits.

-Don't follow the vehicle in front of you too closely.

-Don't pass another vehicle by using the shoulder of the road.

-Leave yourself an out to escape a dangerous situation. Never block yourself in.

-Keep it calm. Understand that traffic will travel a little slower through these areas. Consider this before heading out to your destination.

-Put away all distractions, including cell phones, text messaging devices, loud music, etc.

-Keep your eyes on the road and expect the unexpected.

Continue reading "IDOT Unveils National Work Zone Memorial Wall to Raise Awareness of Construction Zone Accidents in Illinois" »

During the next decade, our cars are expected to make quite the transition. Manufacturers are planning to equip our vehicles of the future with some pretty neat safety features, according to MSN Autos. But will they really improve roadway safety or prove to be malfunctioning distractions and increase our risks of serious car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere?

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that these new features come with good intentions, but as we've seen before, technology doesn't always offer us a safer ride. Manufacturers and government officials reiterate that safety will always be a top concern and new features are designed with that in mind. Your car may not be able to drive all by its self, but designers hope that it will help to make your driving safer.

We're already experiencing these changes, as many cars now have collision-mitigation systems, which use radar to identify when you're getting too close to another object of if you're going too fast. These systems are able to take control of your car to help you avoid an accident.

Other future technologies include:

-Rear-view cameras. These cameras have already been proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Rear-view cameras aim to reduce back-over accidents. They are already available in some models.

-Night-vision cameras and pedestrian-detection systems. These devices would allow you to see objects outside of your vehicle. The system would stop the vehicle if you come too close to one of the detected objects. The main focus of this technology is to avoid car-pedestrian accidents. While some high-end vehicles already come equipped with the technology, manufacturers expect these systems to be standard on new-model vehicles within the next 10 years.

-New-age cruise control. This is a cruise control that senses objects your approaching and can adjust your speed to ensure that you don't hit them. This allows you to avoid resetting you cruise-control speed.

-Vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems. This Wi-Fi technology will allow cars to talk with one another to help avoid car accidents. Your car will be able to know where surrounding cars are before you do.

-Connected vehicles. New technology will allow you to talk to your friends, surf the web, play some music and control your vehicle all with the sound of your voice. The technology will even talk back to you helping to make your trip easier and to keep your eyes on the road.

-Wi-Fi just for your car. Despite the government's concern with distracted driving habits, car manufacturers are going ahead with this one. Car's will soon be equipped with common apps, such as Facebook, Twitter and Pandora. These systems will also be operated through voice command.

-Less gas-guzzle. President Obama and his Administration recently made even more fuel-economy proposals that request that the industry aim at making cars with a 62 mpg rating by 2025. We can also expect more hybrid cars, more plug-ins and more battery operated vehicles.

These expected features all come with good intentions, but it's important to remember that nothing can replace safe and cautious driving habits. Motorists are urged to remain alert at the wheel and make their best efforts to avoid a motor-vehicle accident.

Continue reading "New-Vehicle Technology Aims to Decrease Motorists' Risks of Car Accidents in the Future" »

Insurance companies have already talked about charging you rates by the mile instead of by the month. Now the government is looking into the same idea. There's an underlying plan to this move. Since the government is gaining less revenue from fuel with the production of hybrid cars, lawmakers are predicting that billions of dollars in fuel taxes won't be coming their way in upcoming years, and they're looking for a way to make up the difference. One idea for making up this difference is a GPS navigation system that would track every single mile we travel and then report the findings to government, which would then include this number in our taxes.

Motorists could be required to pay a fixed rate or a varying charge depending on how many miles were traveled, according to MSN Autos.

Many safe driving advocates believe it could force motorists to travel through busy routes, most populated by other drivers, and increase their risks of being involved in a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in the United States. Overnight, the shortest distance would rule the day -- regardless of congestion. Many drivers enjoy taking the longer route, whether it's to enjoy the scenery or to avoid congested roadways. The bottom line is, the driving habits of many motorists would be altered with pay by the mile driving and that concerns many.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys feel that lawmakers need to look long and hard at this idea before making any moves. This theory sounds extremely similar to the tax that many states are proposing on private aircraft. For states with substantial budget deficits, state lawmakers make no hesitation in slapping pilots with a use tax, a property tax, an excise tax, a registration tax, a sales tax and a fuel tax. The latest plan would charge pilots by the landing. This is a prime example of politicians hatching plots without all the necessary information. Pilots often practice landings. The proposal would discourage that, and thereby increase the risk of airplane accidents.

Oregon was the latest to propose the idea of taxed mileage. Lawmakers are currently looking over a new regulation that would charge a driver about 0.85 cents for each mile through 2015. That number is expected to jump to $1.85 a mile by 2018.

As it stands now, the average car in America is getting a combined mpg of 25 and dishing out a little less than 2 cents for each mile in fuel excise taxes. Excise taxes vary from state to state.

While Oregon's proposed tax has been postponed through debate, a number of other states are proposing the same idea, including Minnesota and Texas.

Europe is one step ahead of the United States with the proposals however. Places like the Netherlands are already testing out the idea. The Netherlands has some of the most severe traffic problems on that continent. As they were just about to post the tax, a new government set the plan aside last year.

“The trials work well, but it’s first a psychological issue and second a political choice,” Eric-Mark Huitema, a specialist with IBM that developed the system.

To no one's surprise, American drivers oppose the new tax, fearing that the government's eye will have access to too much information regarding their whereabouts. Advocates of the GPS devices reiterate that the systems will not be able to looking into where the vehicle is driven, but only how far it's driven.

J.D. Power and Associates studies predict that the use of plug-in vehicles, hybrids and battery-electric vehicles will only make up, at the most, 7 percent of the country's market by 2020. But it's the creation of vehicles with better mpg ratings that's worrying lawmakers, too.

Some experts believe, that by 2025, we can expect an average mpg of nearly 55. Government officials will find a way to make up the difference and that's no doubt.

“It is an issue we will have to deal with,” said Mary D. Nichols of the California Air Resources Board.

Continue reading "Proposed Per-Mile Tax Could Contribute to Increased Risk of Car Accidents" »

A teenage girl was killed in a Chicago car accident as she was rushing out to save her family dog from being put down. Her 6-year-old Doberman, named Romulus, died in the accident as well, according to Mail Online.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand the risks faced by teens. It is especially important for teens to stay out from behind the wheel of a motor vehicle when feeling stressed, tired or any other potentially debilitating mood. Teen drivers don't have much experience on our roadways and for this reason they can unknowingly make dangerous driving mistakes that can result in fatalities.

The teen was removed from the car and transported to the Advocate Condell Medical Center. She was pronounced dead only an hour later. The friend survived the crash with minor injuries. The dog was thrown from the vehicle and also killed.

Many teens don't understand the importance of safe, cautious and focused driving habits. Recently, teen drivers were placed on the Nation Transportation Safety Board's "most wanted" list. This is a list that includes a number of people and scenarios that are most likely to produce serious or fatal crashes. This list makes up part of the NTSB's awareness campaign that aims to increase public awareness of these dangers and to get support for state action to adopt safety rules and regulations that can help to prevent such accidents and help to save lives.

Teen drivers account for less than 7 percent of the entire driving population in the United States, but are involved in nearly 15 percent of all fatal car accidents. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there were more than 5,000 drivers between the age of 15- and 20-year-old were involved in fatal traffic accidents in 2009. Of these fatal accidents, nearly 2,500 teen drivers were killed. Another 196,000 teen drivers were injured in accidents on our roadways. During that year, Illinois witnessed nearly 150 teen deaths resulting from traffic accidents that involved a teen driver.

The NTSB recommends that all states enact a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system to more effectively teach our teen drivers safe driving habits:

-Stage 1: Learner Stage. This is the stage when a teen must drive while supervised by a licensed parent or another licensed family member over the age of 21.

-Stage 2: Intermediate Stage. A teen can drive without anyone in the car. During this time period they're under rules limited driving hours and passengers.

-Stage 3: Full Privilege Stage: This is a standard driver's license.

A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluded that states that operate with a GDL system typically experience 40 percent lower rates of injury crash involvement among 16-year-old driver.

Until all states operate with this learning program, responsibility is in the hands of the parent to teach their teen proper, safe, cautious and alert driving habits. With supervised training and positive reinforcement, parents can help to keep their teens safe on our roadways.

Continue reading "Teen Dies in Chicago Accident on Her Way to Save Family Pup" »

There are about 3,000 car-pedestrian accidents in Chicago each year. A new study concludes that roughly 80 percent of all these accidents happen at intersections when pedestrians are using the walk signal to cross. Most of these accidents involve vehicles that are turning. The high rate of these accidents has caught the attention of local authorities -- who are targeting these areas with increased enforcement. Officials report that new safe traffic technology is on the way as well to help keep our on-foot travelers safe, according to the Chicago Tribune.

It's wasn't only the collisions that caught the eye of officials, but the alarming number of hit-and-run incidents as well. These accidents are being seen across the entire city. More specifically, there were nearly 17,000 accidents that involved nearly 18,000 pedestrians from 2005 to 2009. In 2009 alone, there were nearly 35 pedestrians killed on Chicago roadways, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Our Chicago injury attorneys note that the highest number of these pedestrian accidents were recorded in an area from the Loop and Near North Side on the east to the Austin neighborhood on the west. A 2-mile section of 79th Street witnessed four of the top 20 accident intersections. City officials will be analyzing this information and looking for new ways to help reduce the number of these serious and preventable accidents.

The study concluded that 78 percent of all accidents occurred within approximately 125 feet of the center of an intersection. This is also where 80 percent of these fatal accidents occur.

In a previous effort to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents, the state passed a law in 2010 that required drivers to come to a complete stop for crossing pedestrians. Before the new law, vehicles were only required to yield and stop when needed.

Officials have not had enough time to conclude how effective the 2010 law has been, but IDOT records show that there were 2,943 vehicle-pedestrian accidents in 2010. More than 30 pedestrians died and more than 409 were injured in these incidents.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has concluded that roughly two hit-and-run accidents happen in the city every day. These types of vehicle-pedestrian accidents account for roughly 40 percent of all fatal vehicle-pedestrian collisions. This total is more than double the average for the United States.

"It's unbelievable, and it's a real crime,'' said Chicago Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein. "I think we have this culture of speeding and reckless driving."

Pedestrians that are age 15- to 18-years-old represent the largest group of accident victims. The report concluded that these individuals are less likely to use crosswalks than adult pedestrians.

Continue reading "New City Report: Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago on the Rise" »

There may be more than your plate number on your license plate if the Illinois Secretary of State approves corporate logos in license plates. The office will be studying the possibility of placing corporate logos on license plates under a measure (SB 1360) that Gov. Pat Quinn recently signed into law.

What this means is that motorists could soon see company advertisements on their license plates. The big idea is that the state would be able to collect big bucks from corporations for the right to turn vehicles into billboards on wheels, according to the Chicago Tribune. Through this move, drivers would even be able to get a discounted vehicle registration fee if they're willing to display the branded plates.

Safe driving advocates worry that these tiny advertisements will only serve as another distraction to drivers. With license plates turned into mini billboards, drivers may be more inclined to scope out a vehicle's plate instead of the surrounding traffic, which would increase you risks of being involved in a distracted driving-related car accident in Chicago.

Our Chicago auto accident attorneys understand that much more research has to be done on this idea before it in enacted, but lawmakers are expecting a conclusion by the first of the year. The study includes research on the cost of implementing such a program and how much public interest there might be for it. What should be studied more is the amount of driver distraction that these advertisements will cause.

As it stands now, our state already offers a large selection of plates promoting special causes. These plates are sold to motorists at a higher fee. The money from these sales benefits various charitable or research organizations.

The fee that participating corporations would pay would be more than enough to make up for the reduced cost of a participating vehicle's registration fee. The plan, which has previously been discussed by the General Assembly, is believed to be a unique way to generate significant revenue for the state. Opponents of the ads claim that reading an Illinois plate is already challenging for police.

John Mulroe (D-Chicago), the bill's sponsor, previously said that everyone wins under this bill because even if the plate program fails, it wouldn't cost the state a thing.

Currently, there is only one state that allows corporate ads on their license plates -- Texas. Its statewide program has already raised more than $50,000 for the state's general revenue fund.

Motorists already have too many distractions to deal with behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, nearly 5,500 people died on U.S. roadways because of traffic accidents that reported the involvement of a distracted driver in 2009. Another 448,000 were injured in these types of accidents, according to distraction.gov. Many believe that these license plate advertisements will do nothing more than take driver focus an attention off the issue at hand -- driving.

Continue reading "Could Illinois Plates Soon Increase Risks of Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere?" »

Dooring!

It's a careless event that's causing serious injury to bicyclists in Chicago and around the world. Dooring is a dangerous collision caused by the doors of parked vehicles opening into the path of bicyclists. These accidents were, for the first time, counted as crashes in Illinois thanks to the tireless work of safety advocates and the signature of Gov. Pat Quinn.

Now there is a simple idea that can put an end to these preventable and careless bicycle accidents in Illinois.

Here it is: When you get out of your car on the driver’s side, just open the door with your right hand. Opening the driver's side door with your right hand will force you to twist your body around and look back, allowing you to see if any bicyclists or pedestrians are approaching, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers understand that this practice is already taking place in other crowded areas, like in the Netherlands, where a majority of the population uses bicycles to travel around town. As a matter of fact, drivers in this area are taught to exit their vehicle this way. This practice was also written about in a New York Times piece, The Dutch Way: Bicycles and Fresh Bread.

“Likewise, every Dutch child has to pass a bicycle safety exam at school,” wrote Russell Shorto, author of the New York Times' dooring piece. “The coexistence of different modes of travel is hard-wired into the culture.”

It is also believed that the visibility of the overwhelmingly large population of cyclists contributes to safer streets as drivers are more likely to expect them.

"Bicyclists and pedestrians are less likely to be hit by cars in cities that have greater numbers of cyclists and pedestrians," said psychologist Dan Simons, who explored this phenomenon in his book, "The Invisible Gorilla," which he coauthored with Chris Chabris.

Just last year, Chicago had more than 70 reported dooring accidents, according to the city. That's likely to be only a fraction of all the dooring collisions, as many go unreported.

"We were never against collecting the data. There was never really any large effort to make us aware that doorings could be an issue," Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) spokesman Guy Tridgell said.

Earlier this year, Governor Quinn put a new directive into effect that requires law enforcement agencies across the state to make special note of dooring accidents when they write up reports. All of their reports are later handed over to the state. The dooring data will be incorporated into annual traffic accident summaries compiled by IDOT. Our state did not previously categorize such accidents because they don't generally involve a moving vehicle.

“As more people are riding bicycles and embracing other green modes of transportation, we need to ensure that Illinois collects data that presents a complete picture of what is happening on our roads,” Quinn said in a statement.

According to the Governor's office, IDOT will be launching a public outreach effort to spread the word about the need for driver's to look around before popping open a door, especially in areas popular with bicyclists.

Continue reading "Simple Theory Aims to Reduce Bicycle Accidents caused by Dooring in Chicago" »

Driving distractions contribute to roughly 30 percent of all car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere. The real number may even be higher because investigating officers may not detect or record all distractions, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Administration.

Currently in the state of Illinois, drivers under the age of 19, school bus drivers and drivers who are operating in school and construction zones are banned from using a cell phone behind the wheel. All drivers are banned from texting. Illinois is also one of only six states that allows localities to ban cell phone use for all drivers. As of now, Chicago is the only major city in our state that has made cell phone use by drivers illegal, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys see too many accidents each year that are caused by distracted drivers. These accidents are all 100 percent preventable. There are a number of ways distractions can take hold of a driver's attention. There are visual distractions that take a driver's eyes off the roadways, auditory distractions that happen when a driver hears something that's not related to driving, manual distractions that occur when a driver is manipulating something other than the wheel and there are cognitive distractions that happen when a driver is thinking about something other than driving.

“While distracted driving is an emotional issue that raises the ire of many on the road, states must take a research-based approach to addressing the problem. Until more research is conducted, states need to proceed thoughtfully, methodically and objectively,” says GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha.

Enforcement of these regulations has concluded that:

-A high-visibility cell phone and texting law enforcement campaign drastically reduces cell phone use. Long term effects of this enforcement are not yet known.

-Laws banning hand-held cell phone use dropped the use of these devices by about half when they were first implemented.

A recent report conducted by the Governor's Highway Safety Administration, titled Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do, is able to summarize how often drivers operate a motor vehicle while distracted, what exactly distracted driving is and the crash risks of driving while distracted.

This study concluded that:

-Drivers who use hand-held devices are as much as four times as likely to get into a car accident that is serious enough to injure themselves.

-Texting likely increases accident risks more than cell phone use.

-Motorists frequently drive while distracted, perhaps as much as half the time.

-Drivers adapt to some extent. They are able to pay more attention to driving and reduce their distracting activities in more dangerous driving situations.

“Despite all that has been written about driver distraction, there is still a lot that we do not know,” said GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha, who oversaw the report’s development. “Much of the research is incomplete or contradictory. Clearly, more studies need to be done addressing both the scope of the problem and how to effectively address it.”

Nearly 5,500 people were killed in traffic accidents that reported the involvement of a distracted driver in the United States in 2009 alone. Another 448,000 people were injured in these incidents, according to Distraction.gov. This means that 20 percent of injury accidents that happened in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.

Distractions are inevitable. It is virtually impossible to completely eliminate them while driving, it's a part of who we are as humans and as drivers. With proper self-discipline, we can all do our part to reduce distractions and risks of fatal accidents.

Continue reading "New Study Probes Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere" »

A horrific head-on collision devastated a family, killing both parents and leaving the two sons paralyzed from the waist down. Despite intense therapy, doctors are unsure if the boys will ever regain use of their legs. The 9- and 8-year-old boys were on their way home with their family from a road trip when the family suffered a tragic car accident in Colorado. The accident happened on Highway 285 in Fort Stockton when an SUV swerved into the lane that the family's minivan was traveling in and collided with the vehicle head on. In addition to the brothers injuries, the parents died and their 6-year-old sister's arm was broken, according to Huffpost Impact.

After the accident, the boys were taken to the Covenant Health System's Women's and Children's Hospital in Lubbock. Later on they were airlifted to the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital because of the severity of their spinal cord injuries. They were then transported to Chicago’s Shriners Hospital. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand how fortunate we are to have facilities like this in our area. The Shriners Hospital is a facility renowned for its work in pediatric spinal cord rehab. The boys will continue their treatment here in Illinois. Spinal cord and neck injuries can and do occur in serious car accidents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the spinal cord column consists of more than 31 bones (or vertebrae), 7 cervical vertebrae (neck), 12 thoracic vertebrae (upper and middle back), 5 lumbar vertebrae (lower back), 5 sacral vertebrae (sacrum) and 2 fused coccygeal vertebrae (coccyx). Also in the spinal cord is the central bundle of nerves in charge of sending signals to and from the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal column can be detrimental to these functions.

Roughly 200,000 people have to live with SCI in our country. It is estimated that there are anywhere between 15 and 40 cases per million people every year. This means anywhere between 12,000 and 20,000 new patients are treated for SCI every year.

Motor-vehicle accidents contribute to nearly 50 percent of these injuries. Men are most likely to be the victim of SCI as they account for 80 percent of all patients. Most of the new SCI cases are of people 30-years-old or younger. It's estimated that approximately 60 percent of these new cases occur in those ages 15- to 35-years-old.

This is no cheap injury either. The CDC estimated that the lifetime cost for this injury can be more than $3 million. This means a patient could potentially have to fork over anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 a year if they suffer from SCI.

Insurance companies understand the liability and can sometimes move quickly toward a settlement -- even offering a check claiming to be the maximum available under the policy limits of the at-fault driver. If a loved one suffers a spinal cord injury, seeking the immediate representation of an Illinois injury lawyer can be vital to protecting your rights. An accident lawyer will charge you nothing for a confidential consultation -- and will often come to your home or hospital room.

Do not make any statements to opposing insurance representatives. Do not sign any paperwork and do not accept any payment. Choosing a lawyer can be an important first step toward ensuring that the necessary resources for rehabilitation and long-term care will be made available to you and your family.

Continue reading "Car Accident Survivors Sent to Chicago Hospital - Two Dead, Two Paralyzed, One Seriously Injured" »

Drivers in Illinois, ages 18-years-old and older, are allowed to take their attention off the roadway and talk on their cell phone while behind the wheel of a car if they want. Well, everyone outside of Chicago is allowed to. That could all change very soon, if Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. has her way.

She recently proposed a House bill that looks to federalize driving and cell phone usage, according to Auto Trends Magazine.

As it stands now, these are laws that are managed by individual states. Under the proposed legislation, the U.S. Department of Transportation would be required to set up a nationwide standard that would prohibit all cell phone use while driving. McCarthy's House bill aims to reduce the number of distracted driving car accidents in Illinois and elsewhere in the United States.

In the meantime, many local law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to raise awareness and enforcement efforts to push the laws that they do have. A number of recent studies have illustrated the effectiveness of more visible enforcement efforts.

Nearly 5,500 people were killed on U.S. roadways in 2009 alone because of car accidents that reported the involvement of a distracted driver, according to Distraction.gov. Another 448,000 people were injured because of these types of accidents. Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that a nationwide ban on cell phone use by drivers has the potential to truly benefit the safety of everyone on our roadways. According to these statistics, roughly 20 percent of all injury crashes that happened in 2009 involved a distracted driver. These numbers can be drastically reduced with the proper awareness, laws and enforcement. No cell phone conversation is worth a human life.

“Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common,” Rep. McCarthy said. “With some basic commonsense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America.”

Safe driving advocates everywhere are stepping up awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of this dangerous driving habit. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that a recent study returned dramatic reductions in distracted driving in both Syracuse, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut. These studies included two pilot projects that were used to measure the effect of increased law enforcement coupled with high-profile public education campaigns.

"These findings show that strong laws, combined with highly-visible police enforcement, can significantly reduce dangerous texting and cell phone use behind the wheel," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Based on these results, it is crystal clear that those who try to minimize this dangerous behavior are making a serious error in judgment, especially when half a million people are injured and thousands more are killed in distracted driving accidents."

Each of these programs was funded by $200,000 in federal funds and $100,000 from the state. The result proved that increased police enforcement accompanied by paid advertising and news media coverage indeed made a significant reduction in distracted driving. Television campaigns were aired and bulletin boards were posted to warn drivers about this dangerous driving habit and of the law enforcement crackdown on the behavior.

After the increased enforcement efforts:

-Syracuse, New York, witnessed that both handheld cell phone use and texting declined by one-third with just the use of high-visibility law enforcement.

-Hartford, Connecticut saw nearly a 60 percent decrease in handheld use. Texting by drivers decreased by nearly three-quarters.

"The success of these pilot programs clearly show that combining strong laws with strong enforcement can bring about a sea change in public attitudes and behavior," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "We applaud the work of the men and women of the Syracuse and Hartford police forces, and call on state legislatures, law enforcement and safety advocates across the nation to follow their lead."

Continue reading "Enforcement Efforts Increased to Reduce Risks of Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere" »

You may be inclined to take it easy this summer, and you deserve it. Whatever you do though, don't let down your guard behind the wheel.

Residents are more likely to die in a car accident in Illinois during the summer months. There are a number of things you can do to help protect yourself and your loved ones on our roadways during the next few months.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer, but we also ask that you use caution while traveling to and from your summer vacation destinations. Increased traffic during the summertime directly affects the number of fatal accidents on our roadways.

“During the summer months, weekends provide families and friends with an opportunity to come together and enjoy the warm weather,” said Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau. “….[As]the summer driving season shifts into gear, the Illinois State Police want to remind motorists to stay focused behind the wheel, obey all traffic laws and avoid unnecessary distractions. Our goal is to make the summer driving season as safe as possible.”

According to the 2009 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics report, more than 89,000 people were injured in traffic accident during the year. Rear-end collisions accounted for the highest number of injury accidents, resulting in nearly 30 percent of all injuries in 2009. These types of accidents were also responsible for a majority of property damage accidents, accounting again for nearly 30 percent of total crashes.

“The number of fatalities and injuries on Illinois roadways has declined in recent years due to many factors including effective traffic safety programs, excellent safety engineering, strategic partnerships with law enforcement and the fact that more motorists are buckling up today than ever before,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig in a release statement. “Even with these accomplishments, however, impaired driving is still responsible for far too many motor vehicle deaths and injuries across Illinois. IDOT stands firm in its goal to eradicate the senseless act of drinking and driving on Illinois roadways.”

Reader's Digest urges Motorists to keep these five driving hazards in mind when driving during the summer months:

-Look out for wild animals. As more vehicles travel our roadways during the next few months, your risk of hitting a deer, moose, or other wild animal greatly increases. You are urged to always be alert and focused when behind the wheel of your car.

“Drivers need to understand the type of area they are driving in and be aware of any signs or markings indicating the possibility of animal crossings,” he says.

According to State Farm there were 2.3 million collisions between deer and vehicles in the United States in 2009.

-Be cautious in wet weather. A number of accidents happen when drivers fail to adjust their driving behaviors to current weather conditions.

“If a hailstorm is bad enough that you can’t see the road, the safest thing might be to pull off to the side of the road and wait until driving conditions improve,” says Dan Bleier, a spokesperson for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "A little extra caution is bound to slow you down, “but being involved in a crash could end your trip entirely – or worse.”

You're also urged to clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle's windows, make sure that all of your lights and signals are working and to always turn on your headlights when visibility is poor.

-Never drive drowsy. It is estimated that two out of every five drivers report that they've fallen asleep at the wheel.

“About one in six fatal crashes involves a drowsy driver,” says Belier.

You are urged to pull over and stop driving or switch with a passenger if you start to feel sleepy at the wheel. You should be driving on at least 6 hours of rest and you should take a break every 100 miles or every two hours.

-Lookout for bicyclists.

Because these two-wheeled vehicles are smaller than your vehicle, you may have a hard time seeing them in your mirrors. Keep an eye out of these vulnerable travelers. Bicyclists also hit the open road in full force during the warm summer months. Chicago bicycle accidents are a common cause of serious and fatal injuries.

“Drivers should leave extra stopping space between themselves and riders because they (riders) have far less protection than those inside of other vehicles,” Bleier says.

-Watch your speed. Speeding is one of the top contributors to traffic accidents. It contributes to one out of every three reported traffic crashes.

“Drivers are focused on getting to their destination quickly, rather than getting to their destination safely,” says Bleier.

Continue reading "Heads Up to Drivers: Higher Risks for Summertime Car Accidents in Illinois" »

Distracted driving accidents have recently experienced a significant decrease in Syracuse, New York and Hartford, Connecticut, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Two pilot projects in these areas are proving that increased enforcement of distracted driving laws can have a significant impact.

Illinois distracted driving accidents remain a primary safety concern. Even though drivers in our state are banned from text-messaging and driving -- and Chicago drivers are banned from using a cell phone -- enforcement is spotty at best.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that as technology advances, the risk of distracted driving accidents increases. To help combat this problem, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy is currently proposing a law that would enforce a ban nationwide.

She is currently seeking co-sponsors, no one from Illinois has jumped on that bandwagon yet. Verizon Wireless has already voiced its support of the policy, the Safe Drivers Act of 2011.

“We applaud Rep. McCarthy for introducing the Safe Drivers Act of 2011. While mobile devices bring great benefits to Americans’ lives, they must be used responsibly while driving. We’re pleased that Congresswoman McCarthy is championing this public safety measure, and we fully support her efforts to enact the Safe Drivers Act of 2011,” says Peter Davidson, Verizon senior vice president of federal government relations.

The studies conducted in Syracuse, New York and Hartford, Connecticut reveal that areas with strict enforcement of these types of rules typically see a lower fatality rate.

"These findings show that strong laws, combined with highly-visible police enforcement, can significantly reduce dangerous texting and cell phone use behind the wheel," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Based on these results, it is crystal clear that those who try to minimize this dangerous behavior are making a serious error in judgment, especially when half a million people are injured and thousands more are killed in distracted driving accidents."

The enforcement programs in these states were made possible by $200,000 in federal funds and $100,000 from the state. Each state studied driver habits based on increased police enforcement and public advertising about the effects of distracted driving. The pilot efforts included a "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other" campaign.

Distracted driving has be a large concern of some in our state. According to statistics from a Naperville North High School study of nearly 3,500 observed vehicles, nearly 200 drivers were witnessed talking on their cell phones and nearly 100 were observed texting behind the wheel.

“I try to show them how statistics are related to their lives,” said teacher Hiram Baird said.

Public awareness may be one of the first steps in enforcing these regulations and encouraging drivers to put down their phones.

"The success of these pilot programs clearly show that combining strong laws with strong enforcement can bring about a sea change in public attitudes and behavior," said National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Administrator David Strickland. "We applaud the work of the men and women of the Syracuse and Hartford police forces, and call on state legislatures, law enforcement and safety advocates across the nation to follow their lead."

According to the NHTSA, there were nearly 5,500 fatalities that resulted from accidents involving a distracted driver in 2009 alone. Another 500,000 people were injured in these accidents. Distracted driving accidents accounted for nearly 20 percent of the total traffic fatalities in 2009.

A nationwide ban and a pledge to strictly enforce this ban may be the only way to effectively prevent distracted driving accidents and deaths in our state and in our country.

Continue reading "More Enforcement Needed to Reduce Number of Illinois Distracted Driving Accidents" »

You may have heard about the "Drive Now. Text Later." campaign launched by theIllinois Tollway Authority, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Illinois Secretary of State and AAA Chicago. This awareness campaign urges drivers to put down their cell phones and to stop texting behind the wheel in an attempt to reduce the risks of a car accident in Illinois.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that drivers are already banned from using a cell phone and texting while driving within the city, but without strict enforcement efforts drivers will continue engaging in the dangerous driving habit and endangering motorists statewide. Statewide, motorists are forbidden from texting while driving and from using cell phones in school zones or at road construction sites. This campaign seeks to get the word out about the risks ... and the law.

Across the United States, nearly 5,500 people were killed in traffic accidents that reported the involvement of a distracted driver in 2009 alone. Another 500,000 people were injured in these accidents. These fatalities represent nearly 20 percent of all of the traffic fatalities for the entire year.

“We must adopt a no tolerance attitude on this issue,” said pediatric emergency physician Dr. Charles Nozicka. “We have to pay attention to the task at hand. Put the cell phone down. Stop texting and driving. One accident can change a life forever.”

Drivers under the age of 20 have the biggest proportion of distracted drivers. Nearly 20 percent of the drivers in this age group that were involved in a fatal accident were reported to have been driving while distracted, according to the Lake County News-Sun.

"This new challenge comes as a result of technology, and at face value, nothing really inherently dangerous, just your cell phone or your Blackberry. Let's be honest, texting and e-mailing isn't going to go away anytime soon and neither is talking on the phone," said Kristi Lafleur, Illinois Tollway Authority executive director.

Here are some tips to help you avoid being involved in a distracted driving accident:

-Put your cell phone in the glove box or in your center console, turned off, while you're driving. Think "out of sight, out of mind."

-Display a “Drive Now. Text Later.” campaign decal on your window to remind both yourself and other drivers to stop texting while driving. You can order one of these from the Illinois Tollway website.

-If you need to use your cell phone, pull over and stop in a safe location before you do.

-If you have to answer the phone while you're driving, do so on a hands-free device.

-Don't send or read any text messages while driving.

-If you're listening to the radio, use the volume and station buttons on the steering wheel instead of reaching for the center console.

“As an emergency physician and father of four, the issue of distracted driving has been a key component of my professional and parenting practice,” Nozicka said. “Life does not supply our teen drivers with a ‘reset button.’ Studies have shown that distracted driving is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.”

A distraction happens when you either take your eyes off the road, take your hands off the wheel or taking your mind off driving. Texting is the most deadly of distracting driving habits because it combines all three distractions simultaneously.

Continue reading ""Drive Now. Text Later." Campaign Aiming to Reduce Risks of Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Illinois" »

52-year-old man died last Friday after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Chicago. An autopsy concluded that the man died from multiple injuries after his motorcycle collided with a truck, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys understand that traffic accidents that involve these bikes often result in fatal injuries. Motorcyclists travel with much less protection than the occupants of passenger vehicles. Because of their small size, motorcyclists are often overlooked on our roadways. To prevent accident fatalities, it is a good idea for motorcyclists to wear the proper protective gear when hitting the road, even though it is not required by law. We also ask that all motorists be extra cautious during these summer months as we typically see more motorcyclists on our roadways because of the beautiful riding weather.

The National Transportation Safety Board recently placed motorcyclists on their "most wanted" list. This list is part of an awareness campaign that aims to rally support for action for states to adopt safety steps that can help to prevent a number of accidents.

Motorcycles only represent about 3 percent of all of the vehicles on our nation's roadways, but they account for nearly 15 percent of all highway deaths. From 1997 to 2009, the number of annual motorcycle deaths more than doubled from 2,116 to 4,462. It is estimated that more than 12 motorcyclists were killed every day during that time period. In 2009 alone, more than 600 motorcyclists were killed in the United States. Another 51,000 were injured in these motor-vehicle accidents.

A majority of these deaths occurred at non-intersections. More than 70 percent of these accidents happened during the daytime hours, between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The remaining fatalities happened during the nighttime hours. The average age of motorcyclists that were killed in 2009 was 41. This is a number that has seen a steady increase over the last 10 years. In 2009, Illinois witnessed 20 motorcyclist deaths.

The National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association encourage riders to wear motorcycle helmets. These organizations do not oppose laws mandating such use by minors. The Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University concluded that, even of those riders who had previously ridden a motorcycle without a helmet, more than 60 percent favored state requirements for motorcycle helmet use.

Continue reading "Multiple Injuries Take the Life of 52-Year-Old Man after Chicago Motorcycle Accident" »

Chicago reported nearly 4,500 DUI arrests in 2010, according to the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists. Although this illustrates a 15 percent decrease from 2009, DUI's and drunk driving car accidents in Chicago are still a big problem and take the lives of too many innocent people on our roadways.

Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIIDS) have been placed in the vehicle of every first-time DUI offender since January of 2009. Since the law was first put into effect, the number of "BAIIDS" in Illinois quadrupled to 12,000 a year, according to ABC 7. This program isn't costing tax payers either, DUI offenders are required to pay for all of the costs to install and operate the BAIID devices. With this device, a convicted driver must blow into the car's breathalyzer so that it can measure the blood alcohol content before the car can be started.

This month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has placed impaired drivers on its "Most Wanted" list. The most wanted list is part of an awareness campaign that aims to increase the public's awareness of, and support for, actions that can help prevent these drunk driving car accidents. Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that drunk driving accidents can be easily prevented. No one has to drink and drive. Stopping these drivers may come down to stricter punishments for those who have already been busted.

That's exactly what the NTSB proposes. In an attempt to target these dangerous drivers, the NTSB encourages states to create comprehensive solutions for this problem. They recommend that states conduct sobriety checkpoints, especially during popular holiday periods. They also suggest that a state enact administrative license revocation if a driver fails or refuses a sobriety test. It is important for all states to limit plea bargaining. Currently, 16 states have laws that prohibit plea-bargaining DWI cases. Eight of those states limit the ban to specific conditions, such as when the DWI has caused an injury or fatality. The NTSB recommends that these convicted drivers be assessed and treated to prevent them from operating their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol in the future.

To reduce recidivism, the NTSB suggests the use of jail alternatives. These alternatives should include dedicated jail/treatment facilities, intensive supervision probation or home detention with electronic monitoring.

So you don't think drunk driving is a serious enough offense to deserve these restrictions? Consider this. Every 48 minutes, someone is killed in a traffic accident that involves an alcohol-impaired driver. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 11,000 people were killed in these types of accidents. These alcohol-impaired-driving deaths accounted for more than 30 percent of the all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States that year. Even though we've seen a decrease in the number of highways deaths over the last few years, the number of DUI-related deaths has not decreased in the last 10 years.

Nearly 400 people were killed in Illinois from car accidents that involved an intoxicated driver in 2009. The NHTSA reports that a driver usually makes more than 85 impaired driving trips before finally being caught and arrested by authorities.

Continue reading "Ignition Interlock Devices around the City to Target Drunk Driving in Chicago " »

A work zone car accident in Chicago left two Illinois Department of Transportation workers and another motorist injured earlier this week. According to officials, the accident happened in a work zone on I-290. The collision occurred shortly before 11:00 a.m. on the westbound lanes of the Eisenhower Expressway just west of Route 83 near Addison, according to the Chicago Tribune.

We've recently reported, on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, the importance of safe driving habits around road workers and in road work zones. This is especially important in the summer months because this is typically a time when we see and increase in both road traffic and construction projects.

The motorist who allegedly caused the I-290 accident was driving his minivan when he drifted on to the should of the road. Once traveling on the shoulder, the van hit an IDOT truck that was parked on the side of the road. The minivan spun off the first truck and collided with another IDOT truck that was parked in front of the first one.

The driver of the minivan was extricated from the vehicle. He was taken by helicopter to Loyola Hospital in Maywood. He remains hospitalized in serious condition.

One of the state workers was taken to Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village with non-life threatening injuries. The other worker was treated at the scene.

The accident closed all of the lanes. Police are still investigating and citations are pending against the driver of the minivan.

"Every day, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency response personnel, and highway workers place their lives in jeopardy to protect the citizens of the state of Illinois." said Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Larry G. Trent.

Road construction only increases during the summer months, providing another reason for motorists to practice extra cautious driving habits on our roadways. Construction is expected to increase soon as Governor Pat Quinn recently announced a $100 million capital investment to address local transportation needs. The $100 million funding will be distributed to local officials to repair municipal, township and county infrastructure, and improve public safety, reports the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“We are extremely proud to work with our communities so they can fix their roads and bridges and address other needed projects,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said. “This local component of the Governor’s capital program will not only stimulate the economy and create jobs, but improve the quality of life of residents for years to come.”

To help keep these workers safe this summer and throughout the span of this project, motorists are asked to follow these safety tips:

-Slow down. Posted speed limits in work zones are not suggestions, but the law. They are there for the safety of everyone. The Illinois State Police have a zero tolerance policy against violations in work zones. In these areas, fines are doubled.

-Pay close attention. Since traffic patterns in these areas are always changing, sometimes many times a day, it is important to stay alert. Don't take anything for granted in work zones and expect the unexpected.

-Follow all signs. Signs, flaggers and arrowboards and not there to slow traffic, but they're there to make it flow more safely and efficiently. Always merge as soon as possible when approaching a work zone. Don't keep driving in the merge lane until the very last moment.

-Don't follow too closely. Crashes are likely to occur when a motorists follows another vehicle too closely. One of the most common types of accidents in these areas are rear-end collisions. Be sure there's at least two seconds of time between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

-Turn on your lights. Workers and motorists in these zones need to see your vehicle. Turn on your headlights in work zones.

We also discussed, on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, the importance of putting down your cell phone and other distractions while navigating through a work zone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 40 percent of on-the-job fatalities are associated with motor vehicles. Drivers are asked to put down their cell phones while navigating through our state's work zones not only to protect your safety and the safety of our road workers, but because it's the law in Illinois.

Throughout the United States, there were nearly 700 fatalities resulting from car accidents in road construction zones in 2009. During that year, Illinois witnessed nearly 50 fatalities in work zones as a result of motor-vehicle accidents, according to The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse.

Under the direction of Governor Quinn, the Illinois Department of Transportation has already invested approximately $7 billion to repair or rebuild 4,800 miles of roads and more than 500 bridges in the last two years. This momentum is expected to continue with more than $2.5 billion in road construction projects already scheduled for 2011.

Continue reading "Two IDOT Workers Injured in Work Zone Car Accident in Chicago" »

Earlier this week, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that will require that all Illinoisans buckle up in the back seat of a motor vehicle. Although Illinois has a 90.3 percent seat belt usage rate and is ranked 12th in the nation for responsible seat belt users, state government believes that we can improve our stats a little more.

Regardless of your viewpoints on government regulation on seat belt usage, you can't deny that seat belts save lives. Yes, we have all heard the stories of someone surviving an accident because they were NOT wearing their seat belt. And motorists who where their seat belt are too often tragically killed in motor vehicle accidents. The fact remains though, that wearing your seat belt and not driving distracted are two things each motorist can do to help protect themselves from a fatal car accident in Chicago and elsewhere throughout Illinois.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys know motorists are the frequent victims of negligent drivers, whether or not they are wearing their seat belt. Drivers have a civic duty to be cautious behind the wheel. This mean obeying speed limits and traffic laws, exercising respect for other motorists and halting distractions while operating your vehicle.

Starting the first of the year, driver in Illinois can get a ticket for not wearing a seat belt in the back seat of a motor vehicle. The current law states that only motorists who are age 19 and over can ride without a seat belt in the back seat. After the first of the year, Illinois will become the 26th state to require that everyone buckles up in the back seat.

The bill was sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton. He says that the change could save as many as 25 lives a year.

“This is the most important thing we can do,” Cullerton said.

Not everyone agrees with the new law. Some argue that by requiring people to wear seat belts the government is intruding on personal freedom. Hinsdale Republican Sen. Kirk Dillard, was one of those who opposed. He has previously stated that he strongly supports the use of seat belts but had to vote against the plan because he believes that it shouldn’t be the government’s call.

Still, suburban motorists are some of the state's most responsible seat belt users. According to a recent study, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties all had a 94.2 percent seat belt usage rate of drivers and front-seat passengers.

As of July 2008, our state officers can fine a motorist $55 for not wearing a seat belt.

Seat belts aren't just an issue in Illinois either. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is urging all motorists around the nation to buckle up, too. He released data that concludes that states that strengthen seat belt laws and increase fines for unbuckled motorists tend to see a significant increase seat belt use.

"For the sake of your loved ones and everyone else on the road, please remember to buckle up and put away your cell phone every time you get behind the wheel," said Secretary LaHood.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that upgrade
from a secondary to primary seat belt law show estimated seat belt use gains of 12 percent.

They've also concluded that states that increase fines for seat belt use violations show gains of nearly 5 percentage points in belt use.

"Seat belts are the single most protective safety device ever invented for use in vehicles, saving thousands of lives each year. Now our research proves that when states step up sanctions, they’re rewarded with huge improvements in belt use," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

Continue reading "Gov. Pat Quinn signs Legislation Requiring Motorists in Illinois to Buckle Up" »

As we recently reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, Chicago has started a new project to help improve bicycle safety on our city's roadways. The first phase of this project started on Kinzie. The city chose to construct bicycle lanes here because bicyclists account for more than 20 percent of the traffic on that roadway. It was also chosen because it's a very congested area and very hazardous to bicycle riders.

“I promised the people of Chicago that we would create 100 miles of shared bike lanes in the city to ensure our transportation network supports diverse and affordable ways of getting around,” said Mayor Emanuel. “These bike lanes will help ensure that all Chicagoans can get to work and travel in their neighborhoods in the safest and most efficient fashion possible. It’s about making sure that every dollar we spend is focused on building a city that works for all of its residents.”

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys are happy to announce that the City of Chicago has almost completed the project. The project kicked off Monday, June 6th and is expected to be completed shortly. Kinzie Street is now home to the city's first protected bike lane. This is the first 1/2-mile lane of Mayor Emanuel's plan for 100 miles of protected lanes citywide.

During the summer months, bicyclists of all types hit the open road to get some exercise, enjoy the beautiful weather and to practice some earth friendly traveling habits. Now, bicyclists can do all three on a new protected bike lane that provides cyclists with exclusive space in the roadway by separating bicycle and motor-vehicle traffic.

“This is a major milestone for Chicago in terms of transportation,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein. “No matter how someone wants to move around our city, they should be able to do so, and we are committed to finding every solution to advance the transportation system of the city of Chicago.”

More than 60 percent of the trips that Chicago travelers take are three miles or less. Chicago has been constructing eight additional miles of standard bike lanes each year, but has still continue to fall short of production in other major cities. These bike lanes are a part of a comprehensive effort to redefine the city’s bike and transportation plans.

The newly constructed bike lane sits adjacent to the curb. It is equipped with a lane width that varies between 5-1/2 to 7 feet wide. For safety reasons, the bike lane is separated from moving traffic by a 4-foot-wide buffer zone. This zone includes flexible posts that help delineate the lane.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 650 bicyclist fatalities resulting from motor-vehicle traffic accidents in the United States in 2009. There were an additional 51,000 bicyclists injured in these incidents. Bicyclist fatalities accounted for 2 percent of all traffic accident deaths for the entire year. Approximately 70 percent of all bicyclist fatalities occurred in rural areas. Illinois experienced approximately 20 bicyclist deaths in 2009 alone.

Continue reading "Kinzie Bike Lane Nears Completion; Reduction in Risk of Chicago Cycling Accidents the Goal" »

Fewer motorists are expected to hit the roads this Fourth of July weekend than last, but it's all relative; with AAA estimating 39 million Americans on the road you are still at greater risk for a Chicago car accident through the long travel weekend.

The Chicago Tribune reports higher gas prices and the shaky economy are to blame for the 1 million fewer drivers expected to travel at least 50 miles from home.

AAA Chicago estimates 1.9 million drivers will hit the road in Illinois -- 3.3 percent fewer than last year. While gas in the Chicago area has fallen by 29 cents in recent weeks -- to an average of $3.93 a gallon -- that's still 37 cents more than the national average and nearly $1 a gallon higher than last year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 32 Illinois traffic fatalities over the 2009 Fourth of July holiday period.

While our Chicago personal injury lawyers wish each of you a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend, we also would like to remind you of risks away from the road.

Chicago fireworks injuries: Last year, 135 people were seriously injured in Illinois fireworks accidents, according to the State Fire Marshal Even those fireworks people often think of as harmless were responsible for serious injuries, including sparklers (13) and bottle rockets (16). Seventy-eight people suffered serious burns, 10 suffered loss of eyesight and six suffered dismemberment.

More than half of those injured in Illinois fireworks accidents were under the age of 21. Injuries to the hands, fingers and eyes were most common.

Illinois Boating Accidents: Independence Day is the height of the summer boating season in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports a total of 102 boating accidents in 2009 -- claiming 25 lives and injuring 70. Common causes are drinking and boating, lack of training and failure to wear life vests or follow other established safety procedures. If your weekend plans involve being out on the water, please stay safe and take responsibility for making sure those around you are safe as well.

Chicago swimming pool accidents: Family gatherings this time of year often occur at the home with the pool. As such, many are not familiar with pool safety. Children are at particularly high risk. An adult should always be assigned to watch children. Even those using small backyard portable pools. CNN recently reported that more than 244 submersion accidents involving small portable pools have been reported in the last decade. In 209 cases, the incident resulted in a fatality.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Attorneys Wish you a Safe and Enjoyable Fourth of July" »

Cars acquire more and more technology every day. Some of this technology proves to help save the lives of pedestrians, like the rear-view cameras, while others many do nothing more than help you to check your Facebook while driving. Either way, these technological advancements are in high demand by consumers nationwide and our vehicles come with more distractions with each passing year.

David Strickland, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, says enough is enough. He says these unnecessary and unsafe technology do nothing more than increase your risks of being involved in a car accident in Illinois or elsewhere in the United States. He recently voiced his opinion on these new technologies at Telematics Detroit 2011. This probably wasn't the best choice of audience to speak to about this topic as the attendees of this conference only look to enhance the use of such products inside the vehicle. Strickland wants to halt the progression of motor vehicles into rolling infotainment centers.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand the argument. But we also understand the argument of Telematics Detroit 2011. Some of these devices that have been recently introduced to motor vehicles do help to safely navigate on our roadways , like Global Positioning System navigation, automated emergency notification and internal diagnostics. However, there are a number of other new features that many safe driving advocates would argue only take driver attention away from the road, like a number of on-board systems for entertainment and social media.

"I'm just putting everyone on notice,” Strickland said, choosing his words carefully and ironically, “A car is not a mobile device."

Safe driving advocates refer to the Chevy Cruze ad when speaking about these unsafe technologies now being added to vehicles. This was a commercial that debuted during the Super Bowl. It showed a guy, driving in his car, receiving his Facebook updates. Even though the built in app read them to him while driving, many still believe that the hands-free device is potentially distracting.

The Telematics Conference preaches the exact opposite message, stating that these features make driving easier and safer because people are going to engage in these acts while driving anyways. As a matter of fact, their website title reads, "Telematics is Here to Stay! Take Note of Consumer Demands As the Car Becomes the Ultimate Mobile Device."

“I'm not in the business of helping people tweet better,” said Strickland. “I'm not in the business of helping people post on Facebook better.”

Most of the new gadgets that are being installed in these cars are indeed hands-free, which is one of their main selling points. Manufacturers claim that they're only making driving safer because hands-free is a whole lot better than thumbing through your smart-phone while trying to drive.

According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety studies, hands-free devices may eliminate some of the physical distraction, but not they do nothing to eliminate cognitive distraction. For this reason, the Institute says that drivers on the phone, whether hands-free or not, are still at an increased risk for a motor-vehicle accident.

Continue reading "Hands-Free Vehicle Technologies -- Still Causing Car Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere?" »

It's no longer a secret that a number of drivers in Illinois have no idea what they're doing behind the wheel of a car. According to the 2011 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, our state ranked 41st out of all 50 states. Our state's average was a 75.8 percent, meaning that roughly one in four drivers on our roadways would not score well on a written driver's exam if they were to take it today. Drivers with poor knowledge and awareness increase the risk that you will be involved in a car accident in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.

”The GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test has become the benchmark for America's driving IQ,” said Scott Eckman, chief marketing officer, GMAC Insurance. ”All Americans need a refresher course when it comes to rules of the road and it begins with education. We're hoping this year's GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test results will inspire drivers to arm themselves with the knowledge they need to stay safe.”

Our Chicago car accident attorneys believe that our state's drivers can do much better this year with a little studying and practice. Our state scored below the nation's average by 2.1 percent. These dangerous driving habits of ours can be reversed with the right mindset. Drivers are urged to familiarize themselves with the current road rules and regulations in attempt to reduce the risks of a serious or fatal car accident.

Nationwide, the test scores revealed that approximately 20 percent of the tested drivers would be unable to pass a written drivers exam if they were to take it today. They were unable to meet the minimum requirements to get a driver's license in their state. This 20 percent equates nearly 37 million licensed American drivers on our roadways.

While our country's score did increase from a 76.2 percent in 2010 to a 77.9 percent for this year's average, the failing population still accounts for far too many drivers. After this year's test results were released, it was concluded that nearly 90 percent of drivers were unable to identify what the proper action would be when pulling up to a steady yellow light. Another 25 percent of drivers were unable to identify what a proper following distance was.

Once again, Kansas took first place with an average state score of 82.9 percent. New York was bumped from last place, after 3 consecutive last place rankings, by Washington D.C. with an average score of 71.8 percent.

GMAC Insurance uses the National Drivers Test to remind all drivers that it may be time for them to re-up their driving skills as many of us "forget" what may be expected of us on our roadways.

The GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test concluded the following:

-Older drivers, or those ages 60- to 65-years-old, are some of the most knowledgeable on our roadways as nationally they averaged the highest test scores at 80.3 percent.

-Men tested better than women. Women only returned an average test score of 74.1 percent while men averaged at an 80.2 percent.

-The Northeast region of the county has some of the worst drivers, or at least the worst test average. They submitted an average test score of 74.9 percent.

-The Midwest region of the country had some of the highest test scores as they averaged a score of 77.5 percent.

-After three years in last place, New York moved to 45th place in the country. Last place is now held by Washington D.C.

-Wyoming had the lowest percentage of failures. Only one in twenty tested failed.

Try taking the National Drivers Test for yourself and see where you score stands up against the country's average.

Continue reading "Illinois Ranks in Bottom 10 for Educated Drivers; More Chicago Car Accidents Likely Result" »

A new video, "Faces of Distracted Driving," was recently released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in an attempt to reduce the number of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere throughout the country that are caused by drivers that aren't paying attention behind the wheel.

The new PSA features Charlene Sligting-Doud, who is a National Safety Council victim advocate. She became a safety advocate for the group back in 2007 after his father, John Sligting, was killed in a motorcycle accident. The cause of the accident? A distracted driver. His father's motorcycle was cut off by a teen driver who, when using a cell phone behind the wheel, ran his vehicle straight through a stop sign. The safety advocate is using this video to urge drivers to make a vow to be cell phone free behind the wheel in celebration of the upcoming Father's Day and in honor of all of the victims of distracted driving accidents.

Our Illinois personal injury lawyers understand that distracted driving is a common, and deadly, habit that creates serious risks for everyone on the road. Distraction.gov reports, nearly 5,500 people were killed in motor-vehicle accidents involving distracted driving in the United Stated in 2009. Another 448,000 people were injured on our roadways because of inattentive driving.

“My father was a hero to many,” said Sligting-Doud. “He served in the military, he was a firefighter and he was an amazing father. Losing him devastated my family. People need to put their cell phones down and focus on the task of driving. Don’t spend Father’s Day sharing memories – spend Father’s Day making memories.”

According to the National Safety Council, those who text while driving are at particularly high risk. More than 100,000 accidents happen each year because of the cell phone texts. An additional 1.2 million crashes involved a cell phone as the form of distraction for an accident.

“John Sligting was a beloved father and grandfather whose life was cut short because of distracted driving,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “I applaud Charlene for all of the work she is doing to raise awareness about this deadly epidemic, and I hope that everyone who hears about the loss of her father will remember to keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their focus on driving this Father’s Day weekend.”

Charlene Sligting-Doud also manages the HEARTS Network at the National Safety Council. Honoring Everyone Affected, Rallying the Survivors, or HEARTS, discusses real-life stories from victims who have all had their lives changed by traffic accidents that involved a teen driver.

Facts illustrating the dangers of distracted driving:

-Out of all the deaths resulting from distracted driving accidents, nearly 1,000 of these incidents reported a cell phone as the driver distraction. This counted for nearly 20 percent of all of the distraction-related accidents.

-Drivers that are using a hand-held device while driving a motor-vehicle are four times more likely to get into an accident serious enough to injure themselves.

-Roughly 20 percent of all the injury accidents that were reported in 2009 involved a distracted driver.

-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drivers under the age of 20 have the greatest proportion of distracted drivers that were involved in fatal accidents.

-Using a cell phone behind the wheel gives a driver the same reaction time as someone who is driving while legally drunk.

Continue reading "Drivers Asked to Put Down Cell Phones in Honor of Father's Day and Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Victims" »

Accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a South Side resident that was recently injured in a car crash. The collision occurred at 79th and Claremont.

The plaintiff was traveling southbound on Claremont in her Hyundai Sonata when the defendant, who was eastbound on 79th, failed to yield the right-of-way coming out a stop sign. Southbound traffic had no stop sign.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the accident. After speaking to all parties involved, they placed the defendant at fault.

After the incident, our client had an immediate onset of severe neck pain, headaches and generally ached all over. She was seen shortly after at Metro South Medical Center in Blue Island. At the ER she was examined by physicians who diagnosed her with muscle strain due to a motor vehicle accident. She was prescribed pain medication and told to follow-up with a physician.

Over the days following the collision, her neck pain did not decrease. She sought follow up treatment with a medical doctor in the Chicago area. The physician prescribed a course of physical therapy and also recommended an MRI due to the severity of the pain.

Our office will be pursuing a negligence claim against the defendant and her auto insurance carrier. Many of the auto accident claims we handle start off like this one. A motorist has been injured in a collision and he or she is having severe pain that requires medical attention.

MRI results will usually determine if this is a soft tissue case (neck sprain/strain), or if she sustained a more serious injury such as a herniated disc or a protruding disc in her cervical spine.

If the MRI is negative, she will most likely go through a course of physical therapy and her condition would typically improve over the coming months.

If a scan shows a client sustained more serious injury, her medical treatment could move forward in a variety of directions. Often, if she does not improve in therapy, a physician could recommend steroid injections to help alleviate the pain. If that doesn't work, the next option could be surgery.

More often than not the injuries sustained in a fender bender end up being soft tissue nature. However, once in a while our clients' injuries are more serious.

You've sustained a back or neck injury in an Illinois traffic collision, contact the accident lawyers at Abels & Annes for free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

The fatal Memorial Day weekend Chicago car accident being blamed on drunk driving is a tragic reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving as the summer travel season begins.

The Chicago Tribune reports the crash killed an infant whose first birthday was a week away and closed the Dan Ryan Expressway for hours over the holiday weekend.

The crash injured seven people -- the 1993 green two-door Oldsmobile was apparently overloaded as it traveled I-90/94. The 47-year-old driver reportedly lost control and struck a guardrail. Four women and four children were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash -- three of the four children were ejected.

While we often think of victim's in another vehicle when we think of car accidents, it is equally possible to file a claim against the driver of the vehicle you are riding in when a serious or fatal accident occurs. Speaking with a Chicago injury attorney as soon as possible after the crash is the best course of action for protecting your rights.

The accused driver is due in court to face charges of aggravated DUI for an accident causing death and reckless homicide.

ABC7 reports the crash occurred near 75th Street and backed up the outbound Dan Ryan for hours during Monday evening's busy holiday rush.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports one-third of the nation's fatal accidents involve alcohol, claiming nearly 11,000 lives in 2009.

Illinois car accidents involving alcohol claimed 381 lives that year -- 42 percent of the 911 motorists killed on the road. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is among the most dangerous times on the road.

Those ages 25 to 44 accounted for about half of all traffic fatalities involving alcohol in 2009. However, the 21- to 24-year-old age group had the highest percentage of drivers with alcohol in their system at the time of the crash -- 35 percent.

Not surprisingly, motorists at night were about three times more likely to be involved in a crash with a drunk driver. Weekend nights were most dangerous.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving ranks Illinois a dismal 37th when it comes to drunk driving safety. The organization reports the state has nearly 50,000 three-time DUI offenders.

Continue reading "Weekend DUI Chicago Car Accident Highlights Summer Dangers" »

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has issued a warning to parents that our Chicago personal injury attorneys urge you to take to heart: The next 100 days are the deadliest of the year for teen drivers.

We frequently report the risk young people face when it comes to Chicago car crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death for those ages 15 to 20.

Put another way, it's a statistic that bears repeating: Your child is most likely to die in a traffic accident this summer. Your child. This summer. Our Illinois wrongful death attorneys are all too familiar with such tragedies. Dealing with the death of a young person in a car accident is among the most horrific cases a law firm can handle.

In 2009, about 3,000 teenagers were killed and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms as a result of traffic accidents. Nine of the 10 deadliest days for teens are between the months of May and August.

Please speak to your child early and often this summer.

-MADD reports 28 percent of Illinois teens between the ages of 12 and 20 report using alcohol within the past month and 20 percent -- or 1 in 5 -- admit to binge drinking in the last 30 days.

-Teens are among the worst offenders when it comes to distracted driving. MADD recommends banning the use of electronic devices, including cell phones, while behind the wheel. The government's Distracted Driving Website reports that 16 percent of those under 20 are distracted at the time of a crash.

-Limit night driving.

-Limit the number of passengers your teen is permitted to have in the vehicle.

-Set clear consequences for violating the rules.

-Consider using an Illinois teen driving contract with your teenager -- which will outline the expectations and penalties for violations.

-Set firm rules about seat belt use. Statistics show teens are among the worst offenders when it comes to not buckling up.

-Invest in insurance. While teen car insurance premiums can be a shock in their own right, buy a policy with limits as high as you can reasonably afford. Basic policies or mandatory minimums are a joke in the event of a serious accident -- you can spend $10,000 or more before the ambulance even gets you to the hospital.

Continue reading "MADD Calls for Parental Involvement to Reduce Teen Car Accidents during 100 Deadliest Days" »

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" »

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 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.

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" »

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" »

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.

Hazards are inescapable for bicyclists -- motorists, weather, road conditions and pedestrians can all serve as safety hazards. But there is one common risk we tend to overlook -- dooring. Over the past several years Chicago bike accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have settled several cases on behalf of Illinois bicyclists that were injured by opening car doors.

As we recently reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, officials have strengthened laws in Illinois to help keep cyclists safe. However, the Chicago Tribune reported that state transportation officials initially rejected pleas from cycling advocates to keep tabs on dooring incidents; advocates consider it to be one of the most common types of bike accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge bicyclists to keep an eye out for careless motorists. While the state has now agreed to track the issue, it will take more public awareness to reduce the number of instances in which a motorist carelessly opens a door into the path of a rider.

"We were never against collecting the data. There was never really any large effort to make us aware that doorings could be an issue," IDOT spokesman Guy Tridgell said.

A new article in the Chicago Tribune reports that a change ordered by Gov. Pat Quinn will now require that collisions caused by the doors of parked vehicles opening into the path of bicyclists be counted as crashes in Illinois. The new rule is effective immediately and requires that police departments across the state now record these dooring accidents on Illinois traffic crash forms.

"Anyone who rides a bike can tell you that dooring is a serious issue," said Gov. Pat Quinn. "One of the best ways we can increase public safety is by making sure we've got the best and most comprehensive data possible. That's why we've made this change."

This new line of accident data will be incorporated into annual traffic reports created by the Illinois Department of Transportation. As dooring accidents often cause serious injury or death, recording the data will allow officials to create a policies and prevention initiatives.

"We hope to use the data to obtain funding for education safety so drivers as well as bicyclists know what the risks are and what the factors are to create safer roadways," said Dan Persky, director of education at the Active Transportation Alliance.

Continue reading "Dooring to be tracked as cause of bicycle accidents in Chicago, elsewhere" »

As we previous discussed on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The month hosted numerous events, put on by the National Safety Council (NCS) and FocusDriven, in attempt to help reduce the risks of a distracted driving car accident in Chicago and elsewhere in the U.S.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers hope that you take the message and practice safe, focused driving all year long. Distracted driving accidents can be prevented if drivers pledge to avoid distractions behind the wheel, which includes putting away their phones and avoiding distractions caused by GPS devices and other in-car systems.

With the advancements and the popularity of technological devices, many drivers find it convenient to multi task behind the wheel. Nearly 5,500 people were killed in 2009 in accidents that reportedly involved a distracted driver. While distracted driving is commonly thought to be related to cell phone use and texting behind the wheel, it also includes distractions like eating, drinking and playing with the radio while driving.

“If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out – as many of us have – work still gets done. Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren’t. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently. Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone,” said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president and founding board member.

These distracted driving facts illustrate just how prevalent distracted driving is on our roadways:

-Nearly 1,000 fatal accidents reportedly involved a driver using a cell phone behind the wheel last year.

-Nearly 500,000 people were injured last year in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving.

-An estimated 20 percent of 1,517,000 injury accidents involved reports of distracted driving in 2009.

-Drivers that use hand held devices are four times more likely to be involved in an accident.

-Driving while using a cell phone gives you the same reaction time as a legally drunk driver with the blood alcohol content level of at least .08.

-Drivers under the age of 20 are most likely to be involved in fatal accidents caused by distracted driving than any other age group.

As Distracted Driving Awareness Month comes to a close, everyone is urged to continue to practice focused driving habits. Employers are urged to enforce a no cell phone policy at their business in an attempt to help keep employees safe. To help you get started, the National Safety Council offers employers a Cell Phone Policy Kit, which includes everything you need to help keep your workplace free of distracted driving accidents. Numerous corporations, including DuPont and Goodyear, have created and are enforcing rules banning the use of cell phones while driving.

Employers are urged to enforce a no cell phone policy in the workplace as motor vehicle-related incidents are consistently the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nearly 40 percent of on-the-job fatalities are associated with motor vehicles. On-the-job roadway motor vehicle accidents affect millions of works each year. In 2008, nearly 4 million workers in the United States were classified as motor vehicle operators.

Continue reading "Chicago work accidents frequently caused by distracted driving" »

A man is been killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident, and now police are asking for help in finding the driver that fled the scene, this according to the Chicago breaking news center. The accident occurred on the South Side on Tuesday around 7:54 PM at 449 E. 35th Street. The victim, a 50-year-old male, was only two blocks from his home when he was killed.

Chicago police officers found the victim lying in the street. At first they thought he might have fallen due to a medical condition. However, the Medical Examiner's Office indicated he suffered head trauma due to an accident. The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit then started an investigation due to the apparent hit and run fatality. Police have no description of the vehicle involved.

Anyone with information regarding accident is being asked to call Chicago police at 312-745-4521.

If the hit-and-run driver is never located, the victim's family should be able to pursue an Illinois hit and run claim against his own auto insurance policy.

Some newer insurance policies are now rewarding drivers for driving fewer miles in their vehicles. New pay-as-you-drive policies, such as the one offered by State Farm, are now offering coverage based on the number of actual miles traveled instead of the amount of coverage you select, according to The Bellingham Herald.

While our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that everyone is dealing with the rough economy, we don’t recommend that your car insurance be an area you target for savings. As a general rule, motorists purchase as much coverage as they can reasonably afford.

Some important considerations when purchasing insurance coverage are your coverage limits and whether or not you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. These by-the-mile policies may claim to save you money up front, but they could end up costing as you put on miles. With the new program, drivers are required to report the miles traveled to the agent in order to determine the amount owed for that insurance period.

The pay-as-you-drive policies are currently available in 32 states, including Illinois, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. The policy, offered by State Farm, is referred to as the Drive Safe & Save program, but it advocates less driving over actual safe driving.

"Now you've got 39 different mileage segments where you can fall under and potentially have savings in each of those segments if you are moving down in mileage," State Farm spokesman Bob Devereux said.

Before the new insurance program was launched, the car insurance giant only offered two different types of coverage: those premiums ties to less than 7,500 annual miles traveled and those tied to more than 7,500 miles.

Regardless of coverage, it is important to speak with an attorney immediately after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. How you deal with insurance companies -- including your own -- could impact your ability to collect damages.

Continue reading " Pay-as-you-drive Policies may leave you at risk in a Chicago Car Accident" »

April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The event, put on by the National Safety Council (NCS) and FocusDriven, is urging drivers to stop using cell phones behind the wheel. In doing so, officials hope to reduce the risks of distracted driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the U.S.

Our Chicago person injury lawyers urge you to keep the lives of all motorists in mind and keep your full attention on the road. The NSC estimates that nearly 30 percent -- or 1.6 million accidents -- occur each year as a result of cell phone use at the wheel. This proves much more dangerous than any other type of distracted driving habit.

“If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out – as many of us have – work still gets done. Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren’t. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently. Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone,” said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president and founding board member.

The organization also believes this is an open opportunity for employers to implement cell phone policies to protect employees. The NSC offers you a free Cell Phone Policy Kit to help your business get on the road to safer driving habits.

Local Police Chief William Joyce will be making presentations on distracted driving at various local spots, including the Neighborhood Watch meeting. He finds it important to spread the word now because it's that time of year when our young drivers are gearing up for prom and graduation and the weather starts to clear up, influencing more highway travel.

“Five seconds to text, five seconds to do a radio scan, five seconds to discipline your kids," Joyce said. "It only takes a second to travel the length of a football field when you are driving 40-45 mph. And you are driving a 2,000 to 3,000 pound weapon (while doing so).”

Distracted.gov offers these statistics on distracted driving -- a growing epidemic:

-In 2009, roughly 20 percent of injury accidents were reportedly caused by distracted driving.

-18 percent of distracted-driving-related accidents resulting in death reported the use of a cell phone at the time of the incident.

-Nearly 5,500 were killed and an additional 448,000 were injured in accidents reportedly involving distracted driving in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

-Drivers are four times more likely to be involved in accident involving serious injury if they're using a hand-held device at the wheel.

-Using a cell phone behind the wheel gives a driver the same reaction time as a legally drunk driver.

-Young drivers under the age of 20 have the greatest proportion of distracted drivers. Roughly 16 percent of these drivers involved in fatal accidents were reportedly driving while distracted.

Continue reading "National Distracted Driving Awareness Month Kicks off -- Officials Hope to Decrease Risks of Chicago Car Accidents" »

Illinois car accident attorney Gary Annes of Abels & Annes obtained a $35,000 jury verdict this week in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The case stemmed from an automobile vs. motorscooter accident that occurred back on June 25, 2008 at around 5:45 PM on westbound Lawrence Avenue in Chicago.

At the time of the accident, the plaintiff was riding a motor scooter and a car in front of him stopped to make a left turn. Our client then stopped behind that car.

At that time the defendant, who was westbound on Lawrence Avenue driving a Buick Century, failed to stop and struck the plaintiff from behind. The impact caused our client to fall off the scooter, landing on his back.

After the collision, he had an immediate onset of head, neck, back and left foot pain. That night his condition got worse and he had difficulty sleeping.

The day after the accident he was still having significant pain and sought treatment at a trauma center. There, diagnostic tests were taken which were negative for any fractures.

Over the next week plaintiff's pain remained. On July 3, 2008 he sought further treatment from a board-certified neurologist. At that time his most significant pain was in his low back. The doctor ordered an MRI and prescribed course of physical therapy. The MRI was negative for herniated discs.

A lawsuit was recommended by our office because the defendant's insurance carrier would only offer $5,000 to settle during pre-suit negotiations. Here, the decision to go to court paid off many times over for our client.

If you have been injured in a Chicago auto accident, contact the Illinois car crash attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. There is no attorney's fee unless we recover for you.

It might be early, but as long as the snow is melting it's not too early for die-hard riders to hit the roads. Motorists unprepared for riders on the road in early spring are at increased risk of causing a Chicago motorcycle accident.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has teamed with the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and a Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) to warn motorists to watch for cyclists this spring.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys know that more than half of all motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle are the fault of the motorist, and not the rider.

“IDOT is dedicated to motorcycle safety in Illinois and has developed a proven and effective traffic safety program to positively impact motorcyclists and the general public as a whole,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable of highway users, and we want to work together to promote motorcycle safety and help protect all of the motoring public.”

In an effort to address those accidents which involve fault on the part of the rider, the organizations are kicking off a statewide campaign called "Gear Up," which is aimed at encouraging riders to wear the proper equipment and receive the proper training.

"Our goals are to educate our members in proper riding techniques and safe operation and to improve public acceptance and awareness of motorcyclists while maintaining a friendly, fun atmosphere,” said GWRRA Illinois District Director Dan Ribbing. “The Illinois District of the GWRRA is proud to cooperate with the State of Illinois and all of its departments in educating the motoring public.”

Despite representing less than 3 percent of the vehicles on the road, motorcycle riders account for about 1 in 7 fatality victims.

“The mission of the members of ABATE. of Illinois is to preserve the universal right to a safe, unrestricted motorcycling environment, and to propose and advocate actions that can be taken by elected and appointed officials to protect and conserve the natural resources of the State of Illinois, and ensure through professional management that sustainable use, recreational opportunities and enjoyment of these new resources is available for this and future generations,” said ABATE of Illinois, Inc.

IDOT offers the following safety tips as part of the "Gear Up" campaign:

-Wear the proper gear, including a DOT-approved helmet, goggles or glasses, long pants and gloves, and protective footwear. High-visibility clothing can offer added protection.

-Make sure your bike is properly serviced and in good repair.

-Take advantage of free training opportunities and other safety programs. IDOT will make 25,000 free training slots available in 2011 to riders of all skill levels. Click here to learn more about Illinois motorcycle safety courses.

-Make sure you have the proper license and you obey all traffic laws. About 1 in 5 riders killed in accidents do not have the proper license.

-Never drink and ride. Alcohol plays a part in more than one-third of all fatal motorcycle crashes.

-Know your abilities and do not ride beyond them.

To learn more about motorcycle safety in Illinois visit Start Seeing Motorcycles.

Continue reading "Even in early spring, Chicago motorcycle accidents a concern " »

It's no April Fool's Joke: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Friday that the United States last year had the fewest number of traffic fatalities ever recorded.

However, our Chicago personal injury lawyers reported last month on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that the National Safety Council had reported that fatal crashes began to increase during the fourth quarter of 2010 as the economic recovery gained steam.

"Last year's drop in traffic fatalities is welcome news and it proves that we can make a difference," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Still, too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day. We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first."

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 127 fatal Chicago car accidents were reported in 2010, compared to the 141 that occurred in 2009.

The 32,788 traffic deaths last year was three percent lower than the 33,808 recorded in 2010 and the lowest level since modern record keeping began in 1949. The number of people killed in traffic accidents has declined 25 percent since 43,510 motorists died in 2005.

"The decrease in traffic fatalities is a good sign, but we are always working to save lives," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "NHTSA will continue pressing forward on all of our safety initiatives to make sure our roads are as safe as they can possibly be."

Concrete figures will be released by the agency this summer. But early estimates show accidents increased by 1.6 to 1.8 percent in both the third and fourth quarters, confirming the trend identified by the National Safety Council.

And, in fact, Region 5, which includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan saw an increase of 3.9 percent -- the highest increase anywhere in the nation outside New England, where fatalities increased 18 percent last year. Region 2, which includes Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, was the only other area of the nation to report an increase -- fatal crashes there were up 2 percent.

Continue reading "Fewest fatal accidents in history in 2010 but Illinois' region posts increase in deadly car accidents" »

The Illinois Department of Transportation is teaming up to promote safe driving among seniors in an effort to reduce the risk of Chicago car accidents to aging drivers.

A state proclamation declared March 21 to 31 as Senior Driving Awareness Weeks.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys have discussed here before the risks facing senior drivers. The dangers of an older driver being involved in a car accident rise steadily after retirement. Those over the age of 75 face higher risks than any drivers on the road, including teenagers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 5,000 seniors are killed in traffic crashes each year and more than 180,000 are injured.

In 2008, 163 seniors were involved in fatal Illinois traffic accidents. The issue is expected to become increasingly critical as the baby boomer generation retires.

“IDOT is dedicated to traffic safety in Illinois and encourages all seniors to take advantage of the refresher courses made available statewide,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “Through the use of strategic partnerships, effective programs and motorist compliance to state law, Illinois has experienced record lows in roadway fatalities and an all-time high in statewide safety belt usage rate. We strongly support the importance of Senior Driving Awareness Weeks and look forward to its success in promoting senior safety.”

The partnership includes Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's Office and theIllinois Department of Aging, as well as the AARP. The agencies aim to improve training and review of older drivers in an effort to prevent traffic accidents.

“We want senior drivers to maintain their mobility and independence while continuing a lifetime of safe driving,” said Secretary White. “Last year my office provided free Rules of the Road classes at 320 locations throughout the state. The Super Seniors Program, combines Rules of the Road instruction, a vision screening and a driver safety component, providing seniors with the knowledge needed to obtain or renew a driver’s license. This program, allows seniors to brush up on their driving knowledge in an effort to help them continue driving safely."

There are more than 3.5 million licensed drivers in Illinois over the age of 50.

Click here to review a Rules of the Road class schedule.

Continue reading "Senior Driving Awareness Weeks aim to reduce risk of Chicago car accidents" »

A man is been killed in an Illinois truck versus car crash that occurred in downstate Murphysboro, Illinois on Tuesday, CBS news is reporting. The collision occurred at the intersection of Country Club Road and Route 13 in front of a Walmart around 9:30 AM.

After the truck crash, the 72-year-old driver of the car involved in the accident, who is a Murphysboro resident, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital and pronounced dead less than an hour later. The driver of the box truck was not seriously hurt.

The accident reportedly occurred when the car turned left in front of the truck, however the traffic signals at the intersection were not described in the news story. Further, it's being reported that the truck driver was cited by the Illinois State Police for logbook violations.

The Illinois State Police, Murphysboro Police Department, Murphysboro Fire Department, and Jackson County Sheriff's Department all responded to the scene of the accident and assisted in the crash investigation. Traffic on Route 13 had to be narrowed to one lane due to the accident.

Click here to read the story as reported by NBC news.

Motorists are at high risk of fatal injuries in Chicago car accidents involving rear-end collisions with tractor-trailers, according to new research released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Our Chicago trucking accident attorneys understand the risk posed to motorists by large commercial trucks on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that large commercial trucks are involved in nearly 400,000 accidents each year. More than 4,000 motorists were killed in such crashes in 2008; in three-quarters of those cases the victims were occupants of passenger vehicles or non-occupants, such as bicyclists and pedestrians.

Now the IIHS reports antiquated underride guards may result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists involved in rear-end collisions with commercial trucks; 80 percent of the rear-end collisions examined in the study resulted in underride, which substantially increases the risk of injury to occupants of passenger cars. In just 1 in 5 cases did rear-end collisions not result in a car being forced beneath the semi.

"Cars' front-end structures are designed to manage a tremendous amount of crash energy in a way that minimizes injuries for their occupants," says Adrian Lund, Institute president. "Hitting the back of a large truck is a game changer. You might be riding in a vehicle that earns top marks in frontal crash tests, but if the truck's underride guard fails — or isn't there at all — your chances of walking away from even a relatively low-speed crash aren't good."

The Institute has been studying the issue since the 1970s; the latest report found rules had not been updated since 1996 and most guards did not protect the entire rear of a truck, leaving motorists particularly vulnerable to underride crashes when striking a trailer at an angle. As a result, the group is petitioning the NHTSA to mandate better protection.

"Underride standards haven't kept pace with improvements in passenger vehicle crashworthiness," Lund said. "Absent regulation, there's little incentive for manufacturers to improve underride countermeasures, so we hope NHTSA will move quickly on our petition."

Continue reading "Underride accidents increase risk of fatal injuries in Chicago trucking accidents" »

Recently out Chicago car accident lawyers reported on the dangers of intersection accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.

The ink wasn't even dry on that blog yet when the National Safety Council released a report saying crashes at intersections equipped with traffic lights have decreased by 17 percent in the last five years, while those involving red-light runners have dropped by 27 percent.

Part of the reason could be the economic downturn, during which many states, including Illinois, have reported record-low numbers of fatal traffic accidents. And part of the reason could be the increasing use of red-light cameras.

The study used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to review accident rates in all 50 states.

“This report shows that we are making large strides as a nation in reducing crashes at intersections,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.

Yet intersections remain among the most dangerous places on the road for all sorts of accidents, including bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Chicago. The report still found 12,396 fatal crashes occurred at intersections during the five-year period, including 4,394 crashes involving red-light runners.

"While we are making progress, the 13,266 fatalities from these crashes remind us that we have much more to do," Froetscher said. "Each of us should consider these statistics and the measures we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”

Illinois was one of few states that reported little change in the percentage of fatal crashes occurring at intersections, in fact the total increased from 8 percent in 2008 to 10 percent in 2009, compared to the 11 percent reported when the study began in 2005.

As we have reported, the economic downturn has led to back-to-back years of record-low fatalities for the first time in nearly a century of reporting. Advocates of the city's camera program also contend that Chicago's 200 red-light cameras are having a positive impact. A recent study suggested 22 fewer fatal Chicago crashes were blamed on red-light runners from 2004 to 2008, than the 69 deaths reported in a similar period from 1992 to 1996.
Recent Blogs:

Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog:

Red-light cameras reducing number of fatal Chicago car accidents.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog: Are red light cameras increasing the risk of Chicago car accidents?

Continue reading "Red-light cameras, economic downturn, possible reason for fewer Chicago car accidents at intersections" »

In an effort to reduce Chicago area car crashes, the Libertyville, Illinois Police Department is running special patrols this St. Patrick's Day week, according to Tribune Local. They are taking a zero tolerance stance against impaired drivers.

Police chief Clint Herdegen is stating that if you drink and drive in Libertyville on St. Patrick's Day, you lose. The chief is recommending that you select a designated driver before you start celebrating, and to act responsibly or risk getting arrested.

The Tribune article goes on to state that, according to IDOT, over the past five years an average of 15 people lose their lives in Illinois car crashes on St. Patrick's Day. Over that same time span, over 1200 people were injured in an Illinois auto accidents.

The article also gave the following safety tips for party hosts:

Make sure all of your guests have designated drivers.

Provide non-alcoholic beverage options and serve food.

Have phone numbers available for local taxicab companies.

Take the keys away from anyone you believe is impaired at your party.

If you've been involved in a Chicago area DUI car crash, contact an Illinois personal injury attorney at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

Knowing how to handle aggressive drivers can prevent you or another motorist from becoming the victim of road rage of being involved in a Chicago car accident.

As our Chicago personal injury lawyers have reported, both here and on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, that road rage typically involves a criminal offense, such as assault, while aggressive driving includes many of the more mundane activities of which we are all unfortunately guilty of from time to time, including speeding, tailgating and changing lanes without signaling.

Just last month we reported on our Personal Injury Lawyer Blog when a Chicago road rage incident led to the shooting of a pedestrian.

Yahoo News reports that a study sponsored by AAA found more than 10,000 crashes were caused by violent driver aggression between 1990 and 1996. The accidents killed more than 200 people and injured more than 12,000.

A new Road and Travel Magazine survey found half of all drivers respond with aggression when they get the finger or are cut off in traffic.

The report on aggressive-driving reactions found:

-34 percent honk their horn at the aggressor.

-27 percent yell.

-19 percent give the finger.

-17 percent flash their lights.

-7 percent mimic the aggressive behavior of the other driver.

-2 percent admit to trying to run the aggressive driver of the road.

"Road rage is a two-way street," noted Ray Palermo, of Response Insurance. "It takes two people to fight. So, if you are subjected to aggressive driving, often the best way to ensure it does not get any worse is to just ignore it."

The report found men were more likely to respond with aggression than men, but not by much (54 percent to 46 percent). Young drivers were much more likely to become aggressive than older drivers (67 percent to 30 percent). Perhaps surprisingly, drivers with children were more likely to be become aggressive (59 percent) than drivers without (45 percent).

Continue reading "Aggressive driving a common cause of Chicago car accidents" »

The results of the first ever bicycle-count study have been released as officials prepare for the spring riding season and work to reduce the risk of Chicago bicycle accidents.

The Chicago Department of Transportation reports Milwaukee Avenue is the most heavily biked road in the city. Bicycles made up less than 2 percent of traffic on most roads, compared to between 8 percent and 20 percent of traffic on Milwaukee Avenue. And, while 17 of 26 locations studied reported about 200 bicycles daily, the 600 block of North Milwaukee Avenue reported more than 3,000.

Wells Street also recorded some of the city's heaviest bicycle traffic.

The study was conducted during the summer and fall of 2009. Results were released last week. As our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys reported recently on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, bike lanes that share space with motorists increase the risk of a serious or fatal injury. Incoming Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed adding 100 miles of Chicago bicycle trails by the end of his first term.

Heavy bicycle traffic was found in the following areas:

-640 N. Milwaukee Avenue: 3,121

-1616 N. Milwaukee Avenue: 1,065

-1325 N. Wells Street: 1,501

-2225 W. Lawrence St.: 644

-2710 S. Halsted St.: 889

The city's master bicycle plan, Bike 2015, aims to increase bicycle use to 5 percent of all trips under 5 miles. Of the 26 areas studied in this first count, 19 were dedicated bile lanes and four were city streets with shared lanes. The other three locations included a bus/bike lane and two streets without marked bike lanes.

Continue reading "Bike count aims to improve infrastructure, reduce risk of Chicago bicycle accidents" »

Spring is a particularly deadly time for Illinois traffic accidents involving teenagers as prom, spring break and graduation follow one after the other. In order to combat the dangers, a number of safety organizations are sponsoring safe-driving contests and other events aimed at warning teenagers about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding and drunk driving.

Recently, our Chicago car accident lawyers reported that Ford was expanding its teen driving safety program, which began in Chicago.

Now the Itasca, Illinois-based National Safety Council is raising awareness through its "On the Road, Off the Phone" PSA contest. Sponsored by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, the contest is seeking entries of less than 3 minutes, which discuss the dangers of cell phone use by drivers.

"Goodyear is a strong advocate of safety, particularly on the road. We expect our associates to set good examples, and that includes how cell devices are used while driving,” said Rich Kramer, CEO, president & chairman of Goodyear. “By sponsoring the On the Road, Off the Phone PSA Contest, Goodyear is taking our responsibility a step further and encouraging all drivers around the country to think about safety and put down their cell phones while driving."

Official contest rules are available here. Contestants are encouraged to use the organization's white paper on distracted driving. As we reported last June on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, the organization's research contends hands-free cell phones may be no safer than hand-held devices.

The contest is designed to put the emphasis on all cell-phone use by drivers, not just text messaging. While only about 1 percent of drivers are manipulating a hand-held device at any given time, about 10 percent are talking on the phone while driving. The NSC also reports that texting is involved in only about 2 percent of all crashes, while talking on the phone has been linked to 21 percent of crashes.

Continue reading "ALL cell phone use increases risk of Chicago car accident; contest urges Illinois teens to spread the word " »

Chicago bicycle accidents remain a serious threat, particularly for middle-aged men, despite newly released statistics that show a significant decline in the number of fatal cycling accidents nationwide.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported this month that 630 cyclists were killed and 51,000 were injured in bicycle accidents in 2009. That's down 12 percent from the 718 who were killed in 2008.

Twenty riders were killed in Illinois bicycle accidents; that's down from 27 who died in 2008. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports Chicago bicycle accidents accounted for one-fourth of all fatal crashes, claimed five lives and injuries nearly 1,400.

Officials continue to look for ways to improve safety. Last fall, we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that officials were looking to expand the Lakefront Trail in an effort to reduce congestion and the risk of Chicago bicycle and pedestrian accidents.

The new data released by the government also confirms a growing trend as cycling for recreation and fitness has become increasingly popular: Middle-aged men are most at risk. The average age of cyclists killed was 41, while the average age of those injured was 31. More than 80 percent of those injured or killed were men and about one-third of all those fatally injured (244) were ages 35 to 54.

Cycling Safety Tips:

-Wear brightly colored clothing, and use reflective tape, lights and reflectors at night.

-Use hand signals and obey all traffic laws.

-Drivers need to share the road -- giving a rider at least 3-feet of clearance at all times.

-Drivers and riders alike should pay particular attention at intersections, where many crashes occur.

-Drivers need to watch for riders before opening car doors or pulling out of parking lots or parallel parking spots.

-Riders should ride in the same direction as traffic.

Continue reading "Riders remain at high-risk for Chicago bicycle accidents" »

Planning a road trip? There may soon be an app for that!

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers note a recent report by USAToday that motorists looking for the safest highway routes are more frequently turning to their smart phones and computers.

While often cited as among the major contributors to distracted driving car crashes in Chicago and elsewhere, smartphones are not without opportunities to help improve safety. Previously, we reported on cell phone apps capable of disabling a phone while driving and of monitoring a teen's driving behavior.

Now the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is working with eight states on a pilot program to map the safest roads. That information will be collected on a website, and a cell phone app will surely follow.

The idea is that a family traveling from Chicago to Disney World in Florida would be able to log on and incorporate accident data and other safety information when planning their route. "You could get in a car, turn on the in-vehicle navigation and request not only the quickest way from point A to point B, but the safest way," said Peter Kissinger, CEO of the AAA Foundation.

A survey in 2009 confirmed demand for such a service, when it found nearly three-quarters of all drivers said they would consider such information when traveling in unfamiliar areas. SafeRoadsMaps.org was founded in 2008 and has received more than 10 million hits in its first two years. "You can analyze where traffic deaths have occurred over the last several years anywhere in the country," said Lee Munnich, of the University of Minnesota's Center for Excellence in Rural Safety.

States included in the pilot program are Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, Utah, Florida, Iowa, Michigan and New Jersey.

Continue reading "Technology could help Illinois motorists plan trips, reduce risk of car accidents" »

A national report is highlighting a point often lost when it comes to talking about teen driving safety: many of the victims of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers are not teens and are not passengers in a teen's vehicle.

They are victims of all sorts of poor driving decisions made by teenagers, including drunk driving, speeding, aggressive driving and distracted driving. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, regarding the dangers teens face behind the wheel.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers. And when it comes to being involved in a serious or fatal accident, teens are at the highest risk of all motorists except those over the age of 75.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 164 motorists were killed in Illinois car accidents involving teenagers in 2008. Of those, 80 were teen drivers and 39 were passengers in a teen's vehicle. But 37 other motorists were killed, as were eight non-occupants, including bicyclists and pedestrians.

Those statistics agree with the results of the study published in Health News Digest. According to research by State Farm Insurance and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, about 30 percent of those killed in accidents involving teenagers were not in the teen's vehicle.

Nationwide, nearly 700,000 people are involved in a crash with a teenager each year and more than 40,000 are injured.

"When most people think about those affected by teen driver crashes, they think of the teens behind the wheel. We must also consider the significant impact of these crashes on other members of our communities: occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road-users," said Dennis Durbin, a co-author of the report. "Whether or not we have a teen driver in our family, we should all care about this issue. This report provides a concrete way to measure the effectiveness of laws, education, and other programs in reducing teen crashes and their impact on communities."

The report cites reducing speeding and alcohol use as critical to stemming the tide of teen car accidents. Eliminating distracted driving and increasing seat-belt use were also cited.

Continue reading "Innocent often victimized in Chicago car accidents caused by teens" »

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers hail the government's long-overdue decision to require data recorders to track hours of service for long-haul truckers.

Fatigued truck drivers are a significant danger throughout Illinois and increase the risk of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 380,000 large trucks were involved in accidents in 2008, claiming more than 4,000 lives and injuring 90,000.

For decades, the government has relied upon a system of hand-written log books to enforce hours-of-service regulations. The rules limit the hours per day and per week that a trucker can remain behind the wheel. When combined with the fact that truckers are typically paid by the mile -- and therefore make the most money for traveling the furthest distance in the shortest amount of time -- the antiquated system has become a mockery that is ripe for abuse and routinely exposes innocent motorists to exhausted drivers barreling down the highway in 80,000 pound tractor trailers.

"We cannot protect our roadways when commercial truck and bus companies exceed hours-of-service rules," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This proposal would make our roads safer by ensuring that carriers traveling across state lines are using EOBRs to track the hours their drivers spend behind the wheel."

The electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) are in use by several carriers nationwide and can be mandated for truckers or trucking companies that are found in violation of hours-of-service rules. But the new regulations will mandate the recorders for 500,000 carriers nationwide. Violations could result in a fine of up to $11,000.

"This proposal is an important step in our efforts to raise the safety bar for commercial carriers and drivers," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "We believe broader use of EOBRs would give carriers and drivers an effective tool to strengthen their HOS compliance."

Safety organizations -- including Road Safe America, which was founded by parents who lost their child in an accident with a tractor-trailer, have been pushing for the move for years.

The organization is now encouraging the government to use the data recorders in conjunction with mechanical speed-limiters, saying the two issues go hand-in-hand.

Continue reading "Mandated data recorders for truckers could reduce number of Chicago car accidents" »

A pair of Chicago car accidents occurred in the pre-dawn darkness Monday morning when two vehicles slammed into a pitch-black train blocking a crossing without lights, gates or other warning signals, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have reported on the high risk motorists in Illinois face at the state's railroad crossings. As we reported earlier this year here on our Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, Chicago train accidents increased last year.

Seventy-six crashes with trains were reported during the first nine months of last year, claiming 17 lives and injuring dozens of others. We reported earlier this year on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that Illinois is under federal mandate to improve safety at railroad crossings.

That federal smackdown came after nearly 100 people were killed at 855 railroad crossing accidents in Illinois between 2006 and 2008.

In this case, the black train was stopped across a dark and quiet intersection. Motorists reportedly had no warning when, shortly after 3 a.m., first one car, then a second car approaching from the opposite direction, slammed into the train. The crash occurred in the 9000 block of South Halsted Street. Four people were injured.

The Federal Railroad Administration said the automated gates and warnings were not functioning because of a buildup of road salt. However, nearby residents said the gates have been malfunctioning for weeks.

One victim, who was being treated at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, for injuries to his head, neck, back, shoulders and knee, said he plowed into the train at 35 mph in his Nissan Maxima. He was trying to pry his passenger door open and climb out when he heard the southbound car smash into the train on the other side.

Continue reading "Pair of Chicago car accidents caused by night train parked in crossing" »

A Chicago pedestrian accident has reportedly led to a fatal case of road rage on the city's West Side, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The media is reporting the 20-year-old pedestrian was shot and killed after being struck by a car in the 700 block of South California Avenue, and then arguing with the driver. The victim was found on South Sacramento Avenue shortly before 9 a.m.

Police say the victim was struck and knocked to the ground by a passing vehicle. He was not seriously hurt and reportedly began arguing with the driver, who then climbed out of the vehicle and shot him. He was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was pronounced dead.

Police have not released information about the suspect.

There is a big difference between Road Rage, which typically involves a criminal act, and aggressive driving, which we are all guilty of at some point in time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes many forms of aggressive driving, including speeding, driving too fast for conditions, tailgating, not using turn signals and driving too fast for conditions.

As winter wears on, our Chicago personal injury lawyers remind motorists to take a deep breath and relax. Impatience too often leads to accidents and can lead to all sorts of poor driving decisions.

The government offers a number of safety tips for dealing with aggressive drivers, including:

-Don't force the issue: Get out of an aggressive driver's way.

-Don't challenge: Put your pride aside. Don't attempt to hold your own or otherwise challenge an aggressive driver.

-Keep your eyes on the road: Don't make eye contact with an aggressive driver. This can sometimes increase the aggression.

-Keep your hands to yourself: Gestures should be ignored and should not be returned.

-Contact authorities: An aggressive driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver and should be reported to authorities via 911 as soon as it is safe for a driver to pull over and do so.

Chicago aggressive driving safety tips are available here.

Continue reading "Road Rage ends in shooting of pedestrian after Chicago accident, police report" »

Mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel has a plan to expand Chicago's bicycle network that would reduce the number of Chicago bicycle accidents and give the city 100 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of his first term, the Sun-Times reported.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have reported on the great strides made in turning the area into one of the nation's best cycling cities. Still, bicycle accidents remain a real threat to the health and safety of those who cycle for fun, transportation or fitness.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 1,460 Chicago bicycle accidents occurred in 2009, claiming 5 lives and injuring nearly 1,400.

Emanuel's plan includes the creation of the Bloomingdale Trail -- a $75 million, 2.65-mile trail built along Bloomingdale Avenue for cyclists traveling downtown and for school children traveling to one of the dozen schools nearby. He also wants to require downtown buildings to offer bike storage. A similar law has been passed in New York City and was successful in increasing the number of commuter cyclists.

NYC's plan included adding 200 miles of bile lanes. Transportation Alternatives reports the improvements increased the average number of daily cyclists to 236,000 -- up 28 percent from the 185,000 daily cyclists the previous year.

The number of miles traveled by bike also increased, from 1.4 million to 1.8 million.

Authorities increasingly see cycling as a viable option to reduce congestion. But, while the number of other types of fatal accident has declined in recent years, the increasing popularity of cycling has held fatality numbers constant at between 700 and 800 per year. In 2008, 716 cyclists were killed and more than 52,000 were injured in bicycle accidents nationwide.

Middle-aged men are now the most likely to be killed in a bicycle accident; that age has increased from 32 in 1998 to 41 in 2008. Nearly two-thirds of all bicycle fatalities now involve an adult between the ages of 25 and 64.

Continue reading "Emanuel would add 100 miles of cycling trails, reduce Chicago bicycle accidents" »

Fewer Chicago car accidents are being reported at intersections as red-light cameras are being credited for reducing fatal intersection accidents by 24 percent in 14 of the nation's largest cities, ABC7 reported.

As our Chicago personal injury lawyers reported last year, red-light cameras at Chicago intersections number about 200, with plans to install the cameras at numerous intersections in suburbia. Detractors say the cameras increase the risk of rear-end collisions, are an invasion of privacy, and are in place to provide millions in citation revenue to local governments.

However, Time Magazine reports the study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concluded the cameras have saved 159 lives in the last five years and would have saved 815 lives had they been installed in the nation's 99 cities with populations over 200,000.

"The cities that have the courage to use red light cameras despite the political backlash are saving lives," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

The study found 22 fewer fatal Chicago car accidents were blamed on red-light runners with the cameras in operation from 2004 to 2008 than the 69 deaths that were reported from 1992 to 1996. A reduction of 32 percent. And, perhaps debunking the myth of the increase in rear-end collisions, the report found the total number of fatal intersection crashes also declined slightly, from 175 to 170.

However, don't count the ACLU among the supporters. Forbes Magazine reports Chicago's emergency management officials are busy defending the cameras after an ACLU report blasted the network over privacy concerns and a lack of regulations.

To that end, the IIHS argues traffic offenders should not be portrayed as victims.

"Somehow, the people who get tickets because they have broken the law have been cast as the victims," Lund says. "We rarely hear about the real victims — the people who are killed or injured by these lawbreakers."

Red-light runners killed 676 people and injured more than 113,000 in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Red-light cameras reducing number of fatal Chicago car accidents, study finds" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration unveiled new technology last week that could someday eliminate the threat of drunk driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys frequently report on the dangers of drunk driving crashes in Illinois. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports alcohol was involved in 42 percent of fatal Illinois car crashes in 2009. A total of 381 motorists were killed as a result of drunk driving crashes.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports at least 85 people were killed and 316 seriously injured in Chicago car accidents involving alcohol or drugs in 2009.

As authorities continue to look for ways to reduce the dangers of traffic crashes involving alcohol, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is working to develop the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS).

Unlike ignition interlock devices -- which are temporarily placed in the cars of some repeat DUI offenders and test for the presence of alcohol before the car will start -- the DADSS is designed as standard equipment installed by the manufacturer. Prototypes work by either passively testing a drivers breath for the presence of alcohol or by touch, such as a thumbprint.

"Drunk driving continues to be a national tragedy that needlessly claims the lives of thousands of people on our highways each year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We need to put an end to it."

Federal data shows drivers in fatal accidents with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 are eight times more likely to have been previously convicted of DUI than drivers who did not test positive for the presence of alcohol at the time of a crash.

The research has the support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other road-safety organizations. "Auto makers have stepped up to help turn cars into the cure," said MADD President Laura Dean-Mooney. "This project has made substantial progress and this technology could one day be an important step in our efforts to eliminate drunk driving."

The $10 million government effort is being conducted in conjunction with the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, which is an industry group representing most of the world's auto manufacturers.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland called it the "new frontier" in automotive safety but cautioned it won't replace common sense.

"Whatever the future holds for these advanced drunk driving prevention technologies, one thing remains clear; no technology can, or should, ever replace a driver’s personal responsibility not to drive drunk," Strickland said.

Continue reading "Chicago drunk driving car accidents could someday be eliminated by new technology" »

While Super Bowl Sunday will not be as chaotic with the Bears out of the picture, the fact remains that the biggest football day of the year is also among the most dangerous days for Chicago car accidents caused by drunk drivers.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge party hosts and football fans to celebrate responsibly, designate a driver and avoid drinking and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is partnering with the NFL, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and a number of other organizations in promoting the safety campaign, "Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk."

"Football is one of America’s favorite pastimes, but fans can put themselves in serious danger if they don’t plan ahead," said David Strickland, NHTSA Administrator." Whether you’re at the game or watching from a sports bar or a friend’s house, designate a sober driver before the game. And remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk."

Nationwide, about one-third of all traffic fatalities involves a drunk driver. Nationwide, about 11,000 people a year are killed in drunk driving accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Alcohol involvement was cited in more than 4 in 10 fatal crashes in Illinois in 2009, accounting for 381 of 911 fatalities.

The following safety tips have been adapted from information provided by the NHTSA:

-Leave your keys at home if you plan to drink and have a plan before setting out for the evening.

-Put the phone numbers for local cab companies in your phone.

-If you are hosting a party, offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks.

-Never serves drinks to a guest under the age of 21.

-Set a time to stop serving alcohol, say at the end of the third quarter or an hour before the end of the coffee. Serve coffee and dessert.

-Do what's necessary to prevent a party guest from drinking and driving.

-Have a place for guests to spend the night if necessary.

Continue reading "Chicago car accidents a danger during Super Bowl weekend" »

After four straight years of decline, fatal pedestrian accidents were on the rise again in the first six months of 2010, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Our Chicago injury attorneys know pedestrian accidents are a serious problem in Chicago and the surrounding area. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 30 people were killed in Chicago pedestrian accidents in 2009 and another 3,069 were injured. Statewide, pedestrian accidents killed 141 people and injured more than 15,000.

Illinois recorded the 12th-highest number of fatal pedestrian accidents. However, it was among the states to report a reduction in the number of pedestrian accidents in the first half of 2010. A total of 46 fatal Illinois pedestrian accidents were reported, compared to 50 during the first six month of 2009.

The most were recorded in California and Florida -- in fact California, Florida, Texas and New York accounted for nearly half of all fatal pedestrian accidents nationwide. Wyoming and South Dakota recorded the fewest pedestrian accidents.

Nationwide, 1,891 died in pedestrian accidents during the first six month of 2010, compared to 1,884 during the same period of 2009, according to the GHSA report. Twenty-eight state reported a decrease, while 18 reported an increase.

Those ages 45 to 64 were most likely to be killed in a pedestrian accident, followed by those ages 30 to 45, and those over the age of 65.

“Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for about 12 percent of overall traffic deaths, a small but significant portion," said GHSA Chairman Vernon Betkey Jr. "Given that we have made so much progress in this area, GHSA is concerned to see this reversal."

The organization said an increase in distracted driving may be partly to blame.

"Anyone who travels in a busy city has seen countless pedestrians engrossed in conversation or listening to music while crossing a busy street," Betkey said. "Just as drivers need to focus on driving safely, pedestrians need to focus on walking safely – without distractions.”

A renewed focus on pedestrian safety is warranted and should include prioritization, data analysis, engineering, laws and enforcement and education, according to the GHSA report.

Continue reading "Study finds fewer Chicago pedestrian accidents in 2010 -- fatal accidents increase nationwide" »

A deadly Chicago-area auto accident has resulted in two deaths in the Northwest suburbs, according to WLS 890 AM. The collision occurred Thursday night in Hoffman Estates and the Illinois state police are reporting that a motorist involved fled the scene.

Hoffman Estates Police responded to an accident involving at least two vehicles on Golf Road just after 7:30 PM. At the scene they found one of the automobiles engulfed in flames. One victim, a 62-year-old Hoffman Estates resident, died at the scene. A second victim, age 32 of an unknown address, was pronounced dead less than an hour later at St. Alexis Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

Autopsies on Friday found both victims died of multiple injuries sustained in a car accident, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Shortly after the accident on Friday evening the Illinois state police issued an alert for a blue four-door Subaru that was involved in a hit and run accident in Hoffman Estates. Anyone with information regarding the accident should immediately call the Hoffman Estates Police Department or the Illinois state police.

The cause of the deadly Chicago-area car accident has not been reported.

The federal government is launching the "5500 campaign," a new public service announcement to coincide with the one-year anniversary of FocusDriven, the first nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for victims of distracted driving accidents.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report on the dangers of distracted driving. Nationwide, about 5,500 people are killed and 500,000 are injured each year in car accidents caused by distracted driving.

“In our new PSA, we want to remind people that each and every distracted driving fatality is someone’s loved one, and that person’s family is in tremendous pain,” said FocusDriven President Jennifer Smith. “Our new campaign will urge the public to put down the phone and focus on the drive. We cannot wait until others are killed or injured to take action. The statistics show that it’s no longer ‘if’ someone you know will be affected by distracted driving, it’s ‘when.’”

The organization's one-year anniversary was also marked by support from Safeway and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, which seeks to reduce work accidents in Chicago and elsewhere that are caused by distracted driving. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 40 percent of workplace fatalities result from transportation accidents, accounting for 1,682 deaths last year.

“Distracted driving is a deadly epidemic and when it comes to road safety, we will not take a backseat to anyone,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “That’s why distracted driving will continue to be a major part of DOT’s robust safety agenda. Together with advocates like FocusDriven and NETS, and employers like Safeway, we can put an end to this deadly behavior and save lives.”

As we reported recently on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, LaHood has come under fire for what some safety advocates see as a hyper-focus on distracted driving, which may come at the expense of focusing on other causes of serious and fatal accidents.

As part of the anniversary, the Department of Transportation also released the latest in the "Faces of Distracted Driving series." We reported previously on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog that the series features messages from family members of those killed in distracted driving accidents. One of the most recent features 17-year-old Emily Reynolds. Her older sister Cady was killed in 2007 when a teen texting on her cell phone crashed into Cady's car in Nebraska.

The "Faces of Distracted Driving" series is available here.

Meanwhile, Safeway grocery stores is the latest employer to implement a distracted driving policy; the company now prohibits its 1,525 truckers from using cell phones -- hand-held or hands-free, while driving. Bill Windsor, chairman of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety said 5,000 public and private organizations, representing more than 20 million U.S. employees, have now enacted distracted driving policies.

“Employers can make a real difference in keeping their associates safe both on and off the job by educating them about the dangers of distracted driving and adopting policies to prevent it,” he said.

Continue reading "Government continues push to reduce distracted driving auto accidents in Chicago, elsewhere" »

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report on the dangers of distracted driving and the various countermeasures being implemented by state and local governments to combat those dangers.

Last year, Illinois joined a growing number of states that have outlawed text messaging by drivers. Illinois' law also makes it illegal to use hand-held cell phones in school zones and construction sites. Hand-held cell phones have been illegal in Chicago for years. Authorities have pushed the measures as a means of reducing the number of serious and fatal car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.

Common sense might be on their side. But so far the statistics are not. As we reported previously on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, more motorists died last year statewide (with the texting law in place) than died in 2009 when no statewide law existed. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported 923 motorists were killed on the state's roads in 2010, compared to 911 in 2009.

Of course there is a lot more going on than the state's new texting law -- the struggling economy has been cited as a primary factor in pushing fatal traffic deaths to levels not seen since the 1920s -- the numbers have almost nowhere to go but up.

But, as USA Today recently reported, there is a growing chorus that claims prohibitions against hand-held cell phone use and text messaging are not reducing distracted driving deaths -- that, in fact, those deaths may be increasing. Some believe the primary reason is that hands-free cell phones are no safer than hand-held devices. While others think motorists hiding illegal texting activities below the dash actually increase their risk of an accident as their eyes are taken from the road for a longer period of time.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is the largest organization to have vocalized concerns that the government is getting sidetracked on its quest to push states to adopt strict rules against cell phones and text messaging. IIHS President Adrian Lund said distracted driving "is a growing problem in the sense of our recognition of it, but the fact is, it's always been there."

Many safety experts contend the data on distracted driving is too new and too unreliable. While there is ample and reliable data on how to prevent serious and fatal injuries from other types of accidents. The USA Today reports that many are unwilling to speak out against Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who has repeatedly bashed the IIHS for tackling the issue last year.

LaHood said last year that the U.S. Department of Transportation is "laser focused on auto safety" and points to a number of initiatives, including a new Five-Star safety rating system and new rules to improve rear visibility in automobiles. Most of the initiatives he mentions were released in a rapid-fire series of public relations moves following IIHS criticism last year.

At the government's prodding, some 38 states have passed laws banning cell-phone use and or text messaging by drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Eleven of those state enacted laws last year.

Neither the IIHS nor anyone else is contending cell phone use and text messaging make drivers safer behind the wheel. They are just looking for the government's largest transportation watchdog to emphasize something other than distracted driving and defective Toyotas in 2011.

Continue reading "Many causes of Chicago car accidents besides cell phones and text messaging " »

Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a client who was injured in a taxicab versus pedestrian accident that occurred in downtown Chicago on January 14. Our client was walking across the intersection of Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive within a marked crosswalk and with a green walk sign. At that time, a taxi driver turned right on a red light and failed to yield to our client. The cab ran over the pedestrian's foot causing injuries.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the accident. After an investigation, a police officer determined the cab driver was at fault and issued him a citation for failing to yield to a pedestrian crosswalk. The defendant is scheduled to appear in traffic court at the Daley Center in early February.

Our client was seen after the accident at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital emergency room. X-rays taken were negative for fractures and at this time the extent of her internal foot injuries are still unknown. She is scheduled to see a medical doctor for further care.

If you've been injured in an Illinois pedestrian accident, call the Chicago injury attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak with an accident attorney today.

Chicago injury lawyers from Abels & Annes, working with co-counsel from the Elman law group, have filed a lawsuit stemming from an accident that occurred in Waukegan, Illinois in February, 2010. The collision took place in a parking lot on Pioneer Street just after 6 PM in the evening. We represent two passengers that were injured in the accident.

The plaintiffs were sitting in a parked Pontiac Bonneville in the lot. At that time the defendant, who was driving a Toyota Solara, quickly backed out of another spot and struck the vehicle our clients were sitting in.

The Waukegan Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. At that time the defendant admitted that when he was backing out he failed to judge the distance correctly and struck the other vehicle.

The complaint at law was filed in the Circuit Court of Lake County and alleges in part that the defendant was negligent in failing to decrease speed, driving too fast for conditions, failing to keep a proper lookout, and failing to take evasive action when collision was imminent. As a result of the crash both of the plaintiffs were injured.

One of our clients sustained neck and left shoulder injuries, and back pain. She was seen shortly after the accident at the Vista Medical Center West emergency room. she also went through follow-up care with an orthopedic physician in Waukegan.

The other plaintiff sustained low back and neck injuries. He was also seen in the emergency room and underwent further treatment with a local physician. The client was prescribed course of physical therapy which he underwent for around a month.

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

The National Safety Council reports Illinois was one of a number of states to see an increase in the number of fatal accidents last year, in a year where the numbers continued to trend downward.

Our Chicago accident attorneys reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that 129 fatal car accidents had occurred within the city at the start of the New Year weekend, compared to 141 during the same period a year ago. But the 916 fatalities reported statewide had surpassed the 911 reported during all of 2009.

2009 reported the fewest number of fatal Illinois traffic accidents in nearly a century of reporting.

The NSC reported 861 fatal accidents in Illinois through the end of November, compared to 847 during the same period in 2009 and 934 in the same period of 2008.

However, the Chicago-based safety organization reports the overall number of nationwide traffic fatalities decreased by 4 percent during the first 11 months of last year, from 33,180 in 2009 to 31,740 in 2010.

We have reported that the downward trending fatality statistics are likely to begin increasing again with the economic recovery. Fewer people working and fewer people traveling has been largely responsible for fewer fatal accidents since the start of the Great Recession.

Besides Illinois, other states that saw an increase in fatalities through November included Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Nationwide, more than 3.1 million people were seriously injured in traffic accidents through the first 11 months of last year. The estimated cost of accidents, including deaths and injuries, was $216.5 billion -- a 12 percent increase over 2009.

Continue reading "Fewer Chicago car accidents last year but Illinois among states to post increase in traffic fatalities " »

The number of Chicago pedestrian accidents ranked the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area 41st most-dangerous in a new study detailing the nation's 52 deadliest areas for pedestrian accidents, which was conducted by Transportation for America.

It was a good showing for the area, where our Chicago injury lawyers frequently discuss the high rates of serious or fatal pedestrian accidents. The fact that 41 areas of the country are more dangerous illustrates the scope of the problem.

Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 4,000 people are killed and 69,000 are injured in pedestrian accidents each year. Illinois pedestrian accidents killed 111 people last year and injured more than 5,000. One in 5 fatal pedestrian accidents claimed a victim over the age of 65.

Each year, Chicago pedestrian accidents account for about half of the state's total. In 2008, the Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 52 people were killed and 3,225 were injured in Chicago pedestrian accidents.

Last year's top five most-dangerous areas for walking were Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville and Memphis. In the past 15 years, more than 76,000 people have been killed while walking the streets of their communities. In the past decade, more than 43,000 -- including nearly 4,000 children under the age of 16 -- have lost their lives.

The organization recommends reducing pedestrian accidents through a variety of means, including:

-Traffic calming and street design.

-Complete Streets, a program that includes reducing speeds and taking into account the needs of all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.

-Safe Routes to School programs.

-Walkable neighborhoods.

Continue reading "Chicago fairs well in pedestrian accident study - serious and fatal walking accidents still a danger" »

Chicago pedestrian accidents at railway crossing and Illinois train accidents both increased last year, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The Illinois Department of Transportation also reports the number of fatal Illinois traffic accidents increased, although there were fewer Chicago car accidents. There were 128 fatal accidents in Chicago last year, compared to 141 in 2009. Statewide figures have not yet been released, but 916 motorists were killed through Dec. 29 last year, compared to 911 who lost their lives in 2009.

The Illinois Commerce Commission reports 17 fatalities occurred at railroad crossings from January to November last year and 10 pedestrians were killed after being hit by trains. Those numbers reverse a recent decline in accidents involving trains in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.

Fifteen motorists were killed by trains in 2008, compared to 16 in 2007 and 18 in 2006. The 10 pedestrian fatalities is the most since 12 were killed in 2007.

Injury accidents involving trains also increased last year. Seventy-six were reported in the first nine months of the year, compared to 80 in all of 2009. More than 125 were reported in both 2007 and 2008.

In response, officials launched a public service announcement this week entitled "Where's the Best Man," which depicts a member of a wedding party who is killed trying to beat a train across the tracks.

Our Chicago injury lawyers reported earlier this year that Illinois is under federal mandate to improve railroad crossing safety. Between 2006 and 2008 a total of 98 people were killed in Chicago railroad crossing accidents -- 588 were killed across Illinois.

The state is one of 10 states that must submit a plan by August to address railroad crossing safety.

Continue reading "Chicago pedestrian accidents, car accidents, increase at railroad crossings in 2010" »

In an effort to reduce Chicago auto accidents and injuries, Allstate insurance is launching a voluntary program to reward and closely monitor safe drivers, according to the Star Tribune. They will be placing devices in cars that monitor speed, braking and mileage, and are further offering savings of up to 30 percent on insurance premiums.

The insurance company, based in Northbrook, Illinois, is calling the program "Drive Wise" and they plan on expanding the program into other states this year.

The device they are placing in cars is wireless and about the size of a pack of cigarettes. It gets plugged into the vehicle's on-board computer.

Allstate drivers also get a 10% discount just for role enrolling. In the future, the motorist will receive a performance rating where the driver could receive a bigger discount based on his or her performance on the road. Other auto insurance companies such as Progressive and State Farm have also begun using similar devices.

The Tribune article raises an issue interesting issue, which is whether a Chicago car accident attorney could subpoena or request in discovery the information collected from the electronic device for use in a personal injury lawsuit. In Illinois, I believe the answer would be yes, if the device allows you to determine speed and braking for a particular date and time. I do not believe the information collected would be unlimited in scope, allowing attorneys to argue whether a particular plaintiff or defendant had good or bad overall driving habits.

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

This blog article is in no way intended to endorse Allstate insurance and is not meant to give an opinion as to whether the insurance carrier is better or worse than any of its competitors (although I do like the actor in the Allstate mayhem commercials).

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

Want to make a resolution in 2011 that could safe your life, the life of a loved one or the life of a total stranger: Vow to watch your speed and reduce your risk of a serious or fatal Chicago car accident.

Speed or the pace in which we do things seems to be of growing importance in our society each and every day. We race at home in the morning so that we can then rush to work. Then once we have occupied 8-10 hours of our day at work we rush to run errands, pick up or transport kids to activities, and race home to do chores before we hit the pillow at night. At this pace, it’s no wonder that, as Chicago accident attorneys, we see so many accidents caused by speeding.

The 2008 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that we have not slowed down in the last 10 years. Alarmingly, nationwide from 1998-2008, we have not gone below 10,000 fatal crashes involving speed.

The NHTSA offered the following speeding statistics from 2008:

-1/3 of all fatal crashes involved speeding.

-Speed-related costs in the United States total $44,193 a minute.

-A monthly average of just under 1,000 people died in speeding accidents.

-16% of property only damage was the result of speeding.

-Males had a tendency to speed more than females.

-A correlation seemed to exist for males as their driving age increases, their chance of being in a fatal speeding crash decreased over time.

- Male drivers between the ages of 15-24 reported almost 40% of fatalities due to speeding.

According to the NHTSA, 31% of all fatal crashes in 2008 involved speeding nationwide. Unfortunately, Illinois is a state that bumps up this average as the recorded fatalities involving speeding crashes was slightly higher at 37%.

Speeding decreases a driver’s reaction time to an incident. Speeding increases your stopping distance. If the driver in front of you suddenly stops; you will need more distance to stop, especially if you are going faster than the driver in front of you. Speeding pushes the limits of your vehicle and roadway safety system. Barriers that can stop a vehicle at 55 mph might not be effective at 100 mph.

And the laws of physics make each mile an hour that much more deadly in the event of an accident. So the probability of death, disfigurement or debilitating injury doubles for every 10 miles per hour over 50 mph that a vehicle travels.

So do yourself a favor in 2011, and slow down.

Continue reading "Resolve to slow down in 2011 and reduce your risk of a Chicago car accident" »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Only speeding and drunk driving are blamed for more deaths.

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

The first videos in the series include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Improve Motorcycle Safety

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

Young Drivers Safety/Distracted Driving

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

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

Improve Child Occupant Protection

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

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

Primary seat belt laws

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shopping and Parking Lot Tips for Illinois Drivers:

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

-Close your windows and lock your doors.

-Do not leave presents or valuables in plain view.

-Remember where you parked your car.

-Shop with a friend or family member.

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

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

-Have keys ready when walking to your car.

-Be aware of your surroundings.

-Lock doors after getting into the cars.

-Pay particular attention when backing up.

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

-Beware loose shopping carts.

-Pay particular attention to small children.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other safety tips for motorists and pedestrians include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-How to understand and influence older drivers.

-Adapting motor vehicles to older drivers.

-Driving safely while aging gracefully.

-Talking with older drivers.

-Screening and evaluation.

-Medications and older drivers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The crash investigation was handled by the Indiana State Police.

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

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

Read the story as reported by the Southtown Star here.

The Illinois State Police handled both single vehicle crash investigations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Chicago accident lawyers were not surprised to see that the number of fatal SUV accidents is on the rise.

Passenger vehicles, including SUVs, account for 19 out of every 20 traffic accidents in the United States, according to a new report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The report highlights that motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are most likely to be injured in a Chicago accident involving a car. However, all types of passenger vehicle accidents have declined, except those involving SUVs, which continue to increase.

We know that more traffic brings with it the greater risk of an accident. While the economic downturn has played a role in temporarily reducing congestion, the overall number of vehicle registrations has increased 20 percent in the last decade. In addition to passenger cars, the government includes pickup trucks, vans and SUVs in its list of passenger vehicles.

In 2008, more than 10.1 million vehicles were involved in police-reported accidents and 94 percent of those, or about 9.5 million, were identified as passenger vehicles. In the past 10 years, light truck registration increased by 38 percent. Passenger car registrations increased by a more modest 10 percent.

The number of SUV registrations skyrocketed by 120 percent. This is significant because the occupants of smaller passenger cars are at greater risk of serious or fatal injury in an accident with an SUV. Likewise, the number of fatalities involving SUV occupants has also increased, from 3,026 in 1999 to 4,186 in 2008.

Rollover crashes are mostly to blame. Such crashes are among the deadliest and account for more than one-third of all traffic fatalities. Incidents were highest in SUVs, at 58 percent of all fatalities. Rollovers in pickups accounted for 48 percent of fatalities, followed by 35 percent for vans and 25 percent for passenger cars.

The number of fatalities involving other types of passenger vehicles has declined:

-Passenger vehicles: Fatalities have declined from 20,862 in 1999 to 14,587 in 2008.

-Light trucks: Fatalities have declined from 11,265 in 1999 to 10,764 in 2008.

-Pickup Trucks: Fatalities have declined from 6,127 in 1999 to 5,073 in 2008.

-Vans: Fatalities have declined from 2,088 in 1999 to 1,491 in 2008.

Injuries by type of passenger vehicle from 1999 to 2008:

-Passenger Vehicles (total): Declined from 3 million to 2 million.

-Passenger Cars: Declined from 2.1 million to 1.3 million.

-Light Trucks: Declined from 847,000 to 768,000.

-SUVs: Increased from 241,000 to 361,000.

-Pickup Trucks: Decreased from 372,000 to 250,000.

-Vans: Declined from 220,000 to 145,000.

Continue reading "Rollover crashes a common danger for Sport Utility Vehicles; Chicago SUV accidents among the areas deadliest" »

Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, working in conjunction with the Elman Law Group, have filed a negligence lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The case stems from a Chicago car crash that occurred back on January 29, 2010.

The plaintiffs (a driver and two passengers) were driving westbound in a 1995 Chevrolet on 47th St. at the intersection with Knox Avenue. At that time the defendant was driving a Best Buy truck eastbound on 47th St. and turned left to head North on Knox. In doing so the defendant failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The two vehicles collided when the at fault driver attempted the left turn.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After investigating, the defendant was ticketed for failing to yield.

The lawsuit on file alleges that the defendant was negligent in failing to yield the right-of-way, failing to reduce speed, driving too fast for conditions, and failing to take proper evasive action to avoid a collision.

All three of our clients were injured in the accident. One plaintiff was a passenger sustained injuries to his right ankle and foot. He was seen shortly after the accident at St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago.

He also went to follow-up treatment with an orthopedic physician in Chicago. An MRI ordered by the doctor showed the client had sustained right ankle joint effusion, fluid collection and a possible stress fracture.

The driver and other passenger were also seen at a Chicago area emergency room and also went through follow-up treatment with a medical doctor.

Feel free to contact a Chicago accident lawyer at our office if you've been hurt in an Illinois car crash. The consultation is free, and there is no attorney's fee unless a recovery is made. Call 312-924-7575.

A 38-year-old Bolingbrook resident was killed in an Illinois motorcycle accident on Friday, according to Tribune local. The collision occurred just before 3:30 PM on Route 53. The motorcyclist was rushed by ambulance to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital and was pronounced dead at 4:07 PM.

The Chicago area accident occurred when a northbound Saturn on Route 53 struck the motorcycle rider while turning left to get onto North Beaconridge Drive. The Bolingbrook Police Department is handling the crash investigation, and police representatives indicate charges could be filed when the investigation is complete.

The driver of the Saturn and a passenger, who are also Bolingbrook residents, were both injured and take to Bolingbrook Hospital. They were both treated and released.

Under Illinois law, the driver turning left as the duty to yield to oncoming traffic (625 ILCS 5/11‑902). In my experience as a Chicago personal injury lawyer, is common for left turning drivers to sufficiently look out for oncoming cars, but then fail to notice smaller vehicles such as motorcycles or bicycles. It is also common for left turning drivers to forget to look for pedestrians.

Our Chicago injury lawyers urge you to stay safe during Halloween week, which historically has been among the nation's most dangerous for car accidents and other types of injury mishaps.

Authorities will be looking for drunk drivers during a nationwide "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" campaign from Oct. 25-31. In the past 10 years, drunk drivers have caused more than half of the nearly 5,000 traffic fatalities during the week of Halloween, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And, while nighttime is always a dangerous time to be on the road, Halloween night is frequently one of the year's deadliest.

Children, teenagers and adults are also at high risk of being injured in a Chicago pedestrian accident or premises liability claim involving anything from a slip and fall accident to a dog bite.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that Halloween is among the holidays with the highest number of emergency room visits. Finger and hand injuries are the most common, while the most likely to be injured are those ages 10 to 14.

The following safety tips may help you and your family stay safe this Halloween:

-Use knives specifically designed for pumpkin carving -- not kitchen knives. And never let a child carve pumpkins.

-Be mindful of fire hazards when lighting jack-o-lanterns. Use non-flammable light sources, such as glow sticks.

-Keep Halloween costumes light and bright so children are easily seen by motorists and other pedestrians. Use reflective tape for even better visibility.

-Costumes should fit properly and be flame resistant. Be sure masks, hats and face paint do not obstruct vision. Costumes may present a trip hazard if they are too long and should be trimmed appropriately.

-Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit. Children and parents should carry flashlights.

-Be aware of dogs.

-Carry a cell phone in case of emergencies.

Continue reading "Chicago car accidents, pedestrian accidents just two of the many dangers during Halloween Week" »

Parents need to become more involved in talking to teenagers about the role poor driving decisions play in their risk of being involved in a serious or fatal Chicago car accident, according to a new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The New York Times was among the first media outlets to report on the new study as soon as it was released Tuesday -- National Teen Driver Safety Week is next week as safety advocates preach the message in advance of the upcoming homecoming and holiday seasons.

Our Chicago accident attorneys frequently report the dangers teenagers face behind the wheel. Car accidents are the number one cause of death for teens ages 15 to 19, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Name a poor driving habit and teens are the worst offenders: Drunk driving, failure to wear seat belts, text messaging while driving, distracted driving, speeding, and riding with too many passengers in the vehicle.

The new study found that parents are not giving their teenagers enough experience behind the wheel, particularly in challenging situations like heavy traffic, night driving or bad weather. Illinois' graduated driver's licensing program is a national leader -- and the extra training helps. But it is no substitute for time behind the wheel with a parent.

Nearly half of all parents who participated in the study reported that, even after their teen spent a year in the learner's stage, there was at least one driving condition with which a parent was not comfortable with their child's skills. Still, more than one-third of all parents allowed their child to get their driver's license within a month of being eligible.

The study -- which used video cameras and is among the first to look at the interaction of parent and child during the driver's education process -- found that parents were most likely to give instruction on the handling of the vehicle (like speed) and least likely to convey other important driving instructions, such as defensive driving techniques like anticipating the actions of another motorist.

This gap was so pronounced -- more than half of all instructive comments (54 percent) involved vehicle handling, while less than 5 percent dealt with visual scanning or other defensive driving techniques -- that it was among the study's most surprising findings.

The study also revealed that the amount of time parents spend practicing with teenagers varied greatly -- and only 1 in 4 parents mentioned the need to accompany their teenager for practice in a variety of driving conditions.

“One of the best things parents can do to reduce the risk is to spend as much time as possible with their children to provide guidance driving in a variety of situations so they can gain experience and competence,” said Peter Kissinger, the AAA Foundation's chief executive. “If they do, it will have a significant impact on the teenager’s later driving experience.”

Continue reading "Parental instruction crucial in reducing the risk of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers" »

Illinois injury attorneys at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a 10-year-old minor that was injured in a Chicago area SUV vs. school bus crash. CBS news reported that the collision took place around 3 PM at hundred 147th St. and LaGrange Road on September 30, 2010.

The school bus was carrying around 20 students when a Cadillac Escalade may have ran a red light and struck the front end of the school bus. A total of nine students, including our client, were injured and taken to area hospitals. The bus was traveling with 3rd, 4th & 5th graders from High Point Elementary School in Orland Park.

Our plaintiff was transported to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. She sustained right ankle, head and neck injuries in the collision. Her pain has been ongoing since the accident, and she has been treating with her pediatrician in Palos Hills, Illinois.

If your child has been injured in an Illinois school bus accident, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney at Abels & Annes for a free consultation. Call 312-924-7575. There is no attorney's fee unless a financial recovery is made for your child.

Chicago car accidents on the city's streets and roads accounted for more than one-third of the state's car accidents that involved serious injury and resulted in one-fifth of the state's traffic fatalities, according to 2009 crash statistics released by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

As we discussed on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, the vast majority of car accidents in Illinois occur in urban areas, primarily in and around Chicago. A total of 243,189 accidents in urban areas injured 52,402 and killed 469. By comparison, 48,917 rural crashes injured 10,833 and killed 363.

But taking a look at the high number of serious and fatal accidents that occurred on the city's streets (as opposed to highways and freeways) may offer some clues for the defensive driver. A total of 117,683 crashes killed 166 people and injured more than 23,000.

The vast majority of accident statewide occurred in areas where there was no traffic control device. This typically means that someone pulled out of a parking lot or private drive and failed to yield the right of way. Or that someone turned in front of an oncoming vehicle or crossed the centerline. In fact, statistics show that rear-end collisions and turning accidents account for the vast majority of collisions.

No Controls: 156,286 accidents/451 fatalities
Stop Sign/Red Flasher: 30,634/83 fatalities
Traffic signal: 65,647 accidents/97 fatalities
Lane Use Control: 28,261 accidents/144 fatalities
RR Crossing gate: 435 accidents/2 fatalities
Other RR crossing device: 201 accidents/8 fatalities

A total of 63 Illinois railroad crossing accidents killed 11 motorists and injured 30.

Other types of accidents

Vehicle overturned: 4,558 accidents/65 fatalities
Pedestrians: 5,171 accidents/104 killed
Bicyclists: 3,246 accidents/19 fatalities
Animal: 19,558 accidents/ 6 fatalities
Fixed object: 35,257 accidents/285 fatalities
Parked: 34,653 accidents/13 fatalities
Rear-end: 80,076/72 fatalities
Head-on: 2,567/104 fatalities
Sideswipe-same direction: 23,323/16 fatalities
Sideswipe-opposite direction: 3,416/20 fatalities
Angle: 31,210/109 fatalities
Turning: 44,239: 78 fatalities

Continue reading "Rear-end collisions, turning crashes, most likely cause of Chicago car accidents" »

The Illinois Department of Transportation hopes to reach adult drivers through the creativity of their children as the department solicits artwork submissions for the Illinois Work Zone Safety Calendar.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report that car accidents are a leading cause of Illinois work injuries and nowhere are employees more at risk than construction workers on the roads in an around Chicago.

This year's theme is "See Orange. Slow Down. Save Lives" and contestants in Kindergarten through 6th grade are encouraged to enter artwork by November 15, 2010. The top 30 entries will be narrowed to 12 finalists, and those drawings will be displayed on the 2012 Illinois Work Zone Safety Calendar.

More than 9,100 students have participated since the contest began in 2005.

Work Zone Safety reports that 667 people were killed in road construction zones last year. Illinois road construction accidents claimed 31 lives.

Contest registration forms, release forms and instructions are available by clicking here.

Safety Tips for Driving in Work Zones

-Expect the unexpected: Slower speeds, changing lanes and people working near the flow of traffic are the norm.

-Slow Down: Speeding is a leading cause of serious and fatal accidents in construction zones.

-Don't Tailgate: Allow a safe travel distance between you and other vehicles. This permits more time to react, and reduces the risk of a rear-end collision.

-Watch for Workers: And allow a safe distance between your vehicle and construction workers, machinery, barriers or other equipment on or near the roadway.

-Pay attention to signs: Constructions signs, instructions, warning signs and other directions are in place to help you navigate a construction zone safely. Observe signs and remain alert.

-Obey road crews and flaggers: Flaggers understand the obstacles and challenges to moving traffic safely through work zones. Watch for their signals and obey their directions.

-Stay Alert: By minimizing distractions, you stand a better chance of navigating a work zone safely. Leave the radio, cell phones and other distractions alone while in a work zone.

-Keep up with traffic: Traveling slower or faster than the flow of traffic can be dangerous. Merge when directed -- don't race up to the lane closure and then try to cut in line.

-Allow plenty of time: Make adjustments to your traveling schedule that take road construction delays into account. Expect delays and check the radio, TV and websites for the latest information.

-Stay Calm: Keeping your patience is the key to staying safe and keeping road crews safe in work zones. Remember that work crews are working hard to keep roads in passable shape and to make tomorrow's commute better for you.

Continue reading "Work Zone Safety Calendar Contest a chance for kids to remind parents about safety in construction zones" »

Drive Safely Work Week is Oct. 4-8 as the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety work to reduce the number of Chicago car accidents and accidents elsewhere in the nation that are blamed on distracted driving or other poor driving habits.

"The statistics of distracted driving are staggering," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, noting that almost 6,000 people are killed and more than 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted drivers. "If we are to succeed, each company must do its part to develop strong policies and educate its employees."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a crash; drivers who are text messaging are 20 times more likely to be in a crash. Traffic accidents are also a leading cause of Chicago work accidents.

This year's campaign urges businesses and corporations to institute cell phone policies and to ban the use of cell phones while driving. The week-long campaign urges organizations to make time to discuss safe driving with employees and to encourage employees to use call-blocking technology and mass transit as ways to reduce the dangers of distracted driving.

The safety initiative is increasing the focus on truckers and the trucking industry. As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, the enactment of a federal ban on text messaging by all truck, train and bus operators is now in effect nationwide. Unlike the patchwork of laws aimed at prohibiting text messaging in passenger cars, the nationwide ban covers truck drivers and federal employees in all 50 states.

“I am thrilled that businesses across the country are making anti-distracted driving policies an integral part of their employee culture,” said Secretary LaHood. “Employers across America are doing the same to help us set an example and keep our roads safe.”

Drive Safety Campaign material for the workplace may be downloaded here.

Continue reading "Drive Safety Work Week aims to reduce number of Chicago car accidents, work accidents, caused by distracted driving" »

Un accidente de auto en el sur del estado de Illinois reclama la vida de un residente, 28 años de edad de Chicago, según el Herald Review. El accidente sucedió temprano el sábado por la mañana cerca de Mattoon, Illinois cuando otro conductor cruzó la línea central en Interstate 57.

El conductor que causó el accidente fue dirigido supuestamente con rumbo al sur en un Chevy Aveo y cruzo la línea central después de desviarse por no pegarle a un animal en el camino, y luego golpeó la víctima que iba hacia el norte en un Chevy Lumina. Inmediatamente después de que el Aveo golpeó el Lumina, un camión transportando dos remolques le choco por detras al Lumina.

De algúna manera el impacto causó que la puerta del lado del conductor se separara del vehículo. La víctima con sinturón, fue expulsado de su vehículo. El entonces fue desbordado por otro camión.

La policía Estatal de Illinois esta manejando la investigación. El choque ocurrió en el Condado de Coles. Nadie más result herido en el choque, incluyendo una mujer de 22 años de edad y un niño de un año de edad que viajaban con la víctima.

El News-Gazette informa que el conductor que causó el accidente fue multado por el uso impropio de carril.

Todavía no se sabe si hay abogados de accidente en Illinois involucrados en el caso.

A downstate Illinois auto accident as claimed the life of a a 28-year-old Chicago resident, according to the Herald Review. The accident happened early on Saturday morning near Mattoon, Illinois when another driver crossed the centerline on Interstate 57.

The driver that caused the accident reportedly was headed southbound in a Chevy Aveo and crossed the centerline after swerving to miss an animal in the road, and then struck the victim's northbound Chevy Lumina. Immediately after the Aveo hit the Lumina, a semi truck hauling two trailers rear-ended the Lumina.

The impact somehow caused the driver side door to detach from the vehicle. The victim, who was seat belted, was ejected from his vehicle. He was then run over by a second semi truck.

The Illinois State Police are handling the investigation. The crash occurred in Coles County. No one else was injured in the crash, including a 22-year-old woman and a one-year-old child that were riding with the victim.

The News-Gazette is reporting that the driver that caused the accident was ticketed for improper lane usage.

There is no word if there are any Illinois accident lawyers involved in the case yet.

A 52-year-old man has been hurt in a Chicago area pedestrian accident after being hit by a driver who was on her cell phone, according to the Chicago Tribune. The pedestrian, David Paradiso of Berwyn, sustained a fractured leg, scalp injuries and a broken collarbone.

The accident happened on Monday around 7 PM at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Longcommon Road, which is on the border of Berwyn and Riverside. The driver, also of Berwyn, was southbound on Harlem when she ran a red light at the intersection. Witnesses reportedly saw her on her cell phone.

As she went through the red light and struck an eastbound vehicle, and then hit the pedestrian. The investigating police officers charged the defendant with aggravated reckless driving, and she was released on $5000 bond on Wednesday.

Riverside police are stating that drugs or alcohol did not play a role in the crash, but that she was not paying attention and distracted by cell phone use at the time. Police referred to her actions as grossly negligent. She is due in court this Monday.

This is not the only serious pedestrian collision this week. On Thursday morning 78-year-old man was killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident, according to WGN news. It happened near the intersection of Irving Park Road and Oakley just before 10 AM. The victim, Frank Groszek, was rushed to Illinois Masonic hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The crash investigation is being handled by the Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit. The driver involved ticketed for driving to fast for conditions.

It was not reported in if a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer is involved yet in either of the above cases.

A female bicyclist was killed Monday morning in an Illinois car vs. bike accident that occurred in Gibson City, according to the News Gazette. The victim, Jeanne C. DeWall, was using her bicycle to deliver newspapers for the News-Gazette at the time of the crash.

The bike rider was moving eastbound on Illinois 9 when she was hit by an eastbound car that was being driven by a 73-year-old man from Paxton. The collision occurred around 6 AM in the area of Ford Country Road 905 East. She was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

The Illinois State Police responded to the accident. Their investigation reportedly showed that the driver did not see the bicyclist, and that he may have been affected by headlights from oncoming traffic.

It was not reported if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, or if state police would be issuing the driver any traffic citations.

It has also not been reported if Illinois injury attorneys are involved in the case yet. In this type of accident, the family of the victim may have two types of claims to pursue. First, it is being reported that the woman was on the job at the time of the accident. The injury attorney that represents the woman's family first may be able to pursue an Illinois workers' compensation claim. Second, the attorney will pursue a third-party negligence claim against the at fault driver and his auto insurance carrier.

Click here to read the story as reported by pantagraph.com.

Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a nine-year-old boy who was injured in an Illinois bicycle accident on July 19, 2010. The collision took place in the parking lot of M & M Quick Foods, which is located at the intersection of Austin Boulevard and Division Street in Chicago.

The boy was riding his bicycle eastbound in the parking lot when the defendant quickly pulled into the lot off the street, failed to observe the bicyclist, and struck him. The plaintiff was knocked off of his bike.

The child had immediate onset of back pain and bilateral leg pain. He was taken by Chicago Fire Department Ambulance to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park. There he was examined by doctors and x-rays were negative for fractures.

Over the next several days the boy's pain remained, so his mother took him to see a medical doctor. He is been undergoing treatment since the date of the accident.

The crash was investigated by the Chicago Police Department. The police report was actually written somewhat in favor of the driver that struck the bicyclist. The driver told police that the bike rider "darted out" in the parking lot. However, the police diagram clearly shows that the driver struck a bicyclist immediately upon entering the lot.

This brings up an interesting point about police reports. In this case (and in many other cases I've seen in the past), the injured party was taken from the scene of the accident before the police arrived. The officer interviewed the motorist, but did not take the time to interview the injured party, as he not at the scene of the accident and was on his way to the hospital.

Car accident lawyers run into this problem once in a while. I can tell you that just because the police write an unfavorable report, this does not affect our decision as to whether to take a case, and it certainly won't bar the plaintiff from recovering in this case. We look at the evidence in a particular case and make our own decision as to who we believe was at fault.

In this case, plaintiff was riding in the parking lot before the defendant entered. The defendant was driving too fast for conditions and failed to observe the bicyclist upon entering the lot.

Drivers in the Chicago area have to keep a lookout for bicycle riders, especially children on bikes. Chicago is now listed as one of the top 10 bicycling cities in the United States. In my experience, many drivers tend to only lookout for other vehicles and forget that there are bicycles on the road.

If you've been hurt in an Illinois bicycle accident, contact the injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for free consultation. Call 312-924-7575 speak directly to an attorney.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety is funding a $10 million study that could make new-age ignition interlock devices as standard in new vehicles as seat belts and airbags.

The Boston Globe broke the story in the wake of criticism of the federal government for not doing enough to focus on driving safety issues aside from the aggressive campaign against distracted driving. As our Chicago injury lawyers reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, alcohol continues to be involved in one-third of all fatal car accidents nationwide.

Earlier this month the federal government reported the number of fatal Illinois car accidents declined to 911 last year, from the 1,043 reported in 2008. However, the percentage of fatal crashes involving alcohol actually increased from 34 percent to 35 percent.

Many states require ignition interlock devices for drunk driving offenders. The systems require a driver to blow into a tube and tests for the presence of alcohol before permitting a vehicle to start. However, the system being tested by a Massachusetts defense contractor would be completely passive. A number of hurdles remain -- not the least of which are the privacy concerns such a system is sure to raise. But safety advocates believe it could ultimately save 9,000 lives a year. Not since the 15,000 lives a year saved by the seat belt has such a safety improvement hit the market.

Congress is considering providing another $10 million in funding to the project, which is in testing through 2013. Cost is another hurdle, as is the size of the units. Prototypes are the size of a large shoebox, while industry experts say they would need to be the size of a cell phone to make them practical.

“We just don’t think it’s appropriate that people who have no problem with drunken driving and impairment should have to be subjected to having to have this kind of a device,’’ Jim Baxter, president of the National Motorists Association, told the Globe. “It will create more problems than it was ever intended to solve.’’

However, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other organizations intend to throw their support behind making the devices standard.

“MADD is very excited about this,’’ said national spokesman J.T. Griffin. “This could really eliminate drunk driving in America.’’

Continue reading "Technology could someday eliminate drunk driving car accidents in Chicago and nationwide" »

An Illinois pedestrian accident attorney at Abels & Annes has settled a lawsuit pertaining to an accident that occurred in Chicago Illinois on January 24, 2008. The Chicago pedestrian vs. auto accident took place at the intersection of Broadway and Cornelia just after 1 PM in the afternoon.

Our client was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk with a green crosswalk light when the defendant ran a red light and struck the pedestrian with the front of her vehicle. The defendant contended that she had a green light, however, luckily for our client, there was an independent witness to the accident. The witness verified our client's version of events.

The lawsuit filed on our clients behalf alleged that the defendant failed to keep proper lookout for pedestrians, failed to stop for red light, was driving too fast for conditions, and failed to yield for a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

Due to the severity of the pedestrian's injuries, he was transported by ambulance to Illinois Masonic Medical Center. At the hospital, our client complained of right wrist pain, right shoulder pain, left side pain and left leg pain, and he had a large laceration on his forehead. The forehead laceration was close with nine stitches and diagnostic tests were performed at the ER.

X-rays revealed our client had sustained a right distal radius fracture in the accident. His right wrist and forearm were placed in a cast and sling. Upon discharge our client instructed to follow-up treatment with an orthopedic surgeon.

The plaintiff saw an orthopedic surgeon a few days later. Since the accident he had developed pain in his left shoulder. The doctor ordered an MRI which revealed a torn rotator cuff. Surgery was recommended for his shoulder, which was performed on March 8, 2008. The surgery was performed at Swedish Covenant Hospital. By the time our client was done with his medical treatment, he had incurred over $40,000 in medical bills.

The case settled just weeks before trial. The defendant was insured by State Farm and was represented in court by Bruce Farrel Dorn and Associates of Chicago.

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

With the school year beginning, state officials are launching the 4th Annual Teen Safe Driving Program in an effort to reduce Chicago car accidents and traffic accidents involving teenagers elsewhere in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined state officials on Friday in launching the program, which has become a model for other states seeking to reduce the risks associated with poor teen driving decisions.

“In 2008, teens formed the largest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes,” said Secretary LaHood. “Texting and talking on cell phones may feel like second nature to a tech-savvy generation, but the truth is, no one can talk or text while driving safely. I commend these young leaders and Operation Teen Safe Driving for helping to keep teens drivers safe.”

As we reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, officials are urging teens to submit a public service announcement aimed at the dangers of texting and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 6,000 drivers are killed and more than 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving.

Operation Teen Safe Driving is a statewide initiative sponsored by Ford Motor Company. It encourages teens to share safe-driving skills with their friends. The program has reached more than a quarter million students in the last three years.

Together with the state's Graduated Driver Licensing Program, the state has reduced teen fatalities by about 50 percent, according to the Illinois State Police.

“We are proud to launch the fourth year of the Operation Teen Safe Driving Program with the nation’s most prominent traffic safety advocate, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “The Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) Program has produced exemplary results across the state as it has helped cut teen fatalities by nearly half since 2006. IDOT is committed to teen safe driving and looks forward to a continued positive impact by this program.”

Any Illinois high school, public or private, is invited to apply. Students are asked to identify major traffic safety issues involving teenagers in their communities and to make creative proposals to help solve those problems.

Here is the online application for Operation Teen Safe Driving.

Continue reading "Teen Safe Driving Program credited with reducing Chicago car accidents" »

Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have agreed to represent a North Side resident that was injured in a September 5, 2010 collision. The crash took place just after 6:30 PM at Diversey and Sheridan Road.

Our client was riding his bicycle westbound on Diversey Pkwy. approaching Sheridan. As he came to the intersection there was a taxicab that had just come to a stop for a red light. As our client was passing the taxi on its right side, a passenger opened the rear passenger side door into his bicycle. The taxicab driver failed to pull over to the curb and let the passengers out in the middle of the street. The bicyclist fell hard to the ground.

Our client was seen at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center shortly after the accident. He had sustained a ligament tear in his right knee, back and neck injuries, a fractured finger, and multiple abrasions. He has since followed up with a medical doctor due to ongoing pain.

The Chicago Police Department handled the accident investigation.

Drivers and passengers negligently opening car doors without checking for bicycle riders is a common occurrence in the City of Chicago. Our law firm has handled several of these cases over the past few years. There are more and more people bike riding in the City every year, and motorists have a duty to keep a lookout for them.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Illinois bike accident, call the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for free consultation. We are ready to help you 24/7.

A Chicago pedestrian accident that occurred on Saturday in the 6200 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue has injured three children and one woman, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. An 11-year-old girl is in critical condition.

The Chicago car vs. pedestrian accident happened when a stolen 1999 Chrysler hit the pedestrians, then struck a parked car and a brick wall. After that, several people jumped out of the car and fled the scene of the accident. They left behind the car that has Indiana plates.

All four injured pedestrians were hospitalized. The children, including the 11-year-old that is in critical condition, were all taken to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. The injured woman, age 35, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and is reportedly in stable condition.

The vehicle involved in the hit-and-run accident was stolen from the 5000 block of S. Cottage Grove Ave. Police are still searching for the driver and passengers involved in the accident. Anyone with information regarding this pedestrian accident should immediately call the Chicago Police Department at 312-745-4521.

It is not been reported if Chicago injury lawyers are involved in this case yet. However, due to the fact the Chrysler was stolen, the vehicle will be uninsured.

Hopefully the injured pedestrian victims and their families have their own auto insurance policies. If they do, they will be able to pursue uninsured motorist claims against their own auto insurance carriers.

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

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

A respected highway safety organization backed by the insurance industry has published a study that found states that have passed laws preventing drivers from text messaging have actually seen an increase in car accidents compared to states without texting bans.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers frequently report on the dangers of text messaging; Illinois's text messaging ban went into effect for all drivers on Jan 1; drivers in Chicago have been banned from using all hand-held cell phone devices for several years.

The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post have both reported on the study released by the Highway Loss Data Institute, which is a division of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

As The Post reports, the first speeding law went into effect almost 150 years ago, but even strict enforcement has a limited impact on those drivers who insist upon speeding. The federal government blames drunk driving, speeding and distracted driving for the majority of car accidents.

The Highway Loss Data compared crash data in four states with text messaging bans with accident data in four states that have no rules prohibiting drivers from text messaging while behind the wheel. Not only did the study find no decrease in accidents, it found that accident rates actually increased in three of four states with texting bans.

"It's an indication that texting bans might even increase the risk of texting for drivers who continue to do so despite the laws," says Adrian Lund, president of both HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The study authors believe the increase could be the result of motorists attempting to hide their activities in states where texting and driving is illegal.

"If drivers were disregarding the bans, then the crash patterns should have remained steady," Lund said. "So clearly drivers did respond to the bans somehow, and what they might have been doing was moving their phones down and out of sight when they texted, in recognition that what they were doing was illegal. This could exacerbate the risk of texting by taking drivers' eyes further from the road and for a longer time."

The Governor's Highway Safety Association reports that 30 states have now passed laws that forbid text messaging behind the wheel, even as text messaging has become an increasingly popular means of communications. The most recent one-year period saw a 60 percent increase in text messaging, from 1 trillion texts in 2008 to 1.6 trillion in 2009.

Continue reading "Texting ban may not be reducing car accidents in Chicago and throughout Illinois" »

Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will participate in the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" campaign through the Labor Day weekend. The effort comes as the federal government releases statistics showing as many as 8 percent of all drivers -- or 17 million motorists -- have driven drunk in the last year.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reported this week that drunk driving accidents in Chicago and throughout Illinois have declined steadily since 2002.

But the federal report shows much work remains. All 50 states will join in the crackdown, which will be augmented by a $13 million "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" media campaign.

“Drunk driving is deadly, it’s against the law, and unfortunately, it’s still a problem,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “With the help of law enforcement around the country, we are going to continue doing all that we can to stop drunk driving and the needless tragedies that result from this reckless behavior.”

In Illinois, over 300 agencies will conduct nearly 200 roadside safety checkpoints, impaired driving patrols and nighttime safety belt patrols over the next two weeks.

“IDOT and its partners are committed to the fight against impaired driving in Illinois. We are very gratified that in recent years Illinois has seen reductions in the number of fatalities caused by impaired drivers,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “These reductions represent lives saved and are the result of the remarkable dedication shown by the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies in every part of our state, along with more drivers and passengers buckling up. Combined with the educational efforts of the You Drink & Drive. You Lose. and Click It or Ticket campaigns along with increased law enforcement efforts, we are extremely pleased that fewer people are driving impaired and more people are wearing their safety belts.”

The state reports the number of alcohol related fatal crashes has declined sharply, from 634 in 1994 to 434 in 2008. Still, more than one-third of the state's 1,043 fatal traffic accidents involved alcohol - in many of those cases, the incident involved a car accident in Chicago.

The new federal study found that young males were at the highest risk -- a full one-fourth had either driven under the influence of alcohol or rode in a car with an intoxicated driver at some point in the last 12 months.

Results of the drunk driving study are available here.

Continue reading "Authorities aim to reduce Chicago car accidents with heavy enforcement through Labor Day " »

Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have filed a personal injury lawsuit in Cook County on behalf of an injured pedestrian. The automobile vs. pedestrian collision which took place on June 18, 2009.

The defendant was driving his truck northbound on Monticello approaching Leland in Chicago, Illinois. He stopped at a stop sign for northbound Monticello at Leland. The pedestrian was walking eastbound across Monticello in the marked pedestrian crosswalk and when he had crossed almost the entire street the defendant suddenly accelerated and struck our client. The plaintiff was fully within the marked crosswalk when he was hit. The force of the impact threw our client to the pavement.

The driver was issued traffic tickets by the Chicago Police Department for failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and for failing to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian.

Following the collision our client had an immediate onset of back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain. He was transported from the scene of the collision by ambulance to Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Over the next couple of days the pedestrian's condition worsened and his back pain started radiating into his right leg. Due to his increasing pain and discomfort he sought follow up treatment with a physician. He was prescribed pain medication and therapy was recommended.

After several months of treatment the client was not experiencing significant relief of his injuries. A lumber MRI revealed herniated/bulging disks at L3-4 and L4-5 which pressed against the L4 and L5 nerve roots and a herniated/bulging disk at L5-S1. Due to the nature and extent of his problems, the doctor referred him to a pain specialist.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Lawyers file pedestrian accident lawsuit" »

A West Side strip club has agreed to pay a $1 million settlement in the wake of a Chicago car accident caused by a drunk driver, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The January 2006 accident claimed the life of a pregnant woman, her unborn child and a patron of the club. Diamonds Gentlemen's Club paid $800,000 to the husband of the 27-year-old woman, who was eight-months pregnant when her vehicle was struck head-on by an SUV near South Elgin.

The rest of the settlement went to the relatives of a 25-year-old St. Charles man who was a passenger in the at-fault vehicle, according to court records. The lawsuit alleged that the driver and passenger had gotten drunk in the club and were ejected by bouncers after the driver was found vomiting in the bathroom. The bouncers put the driver in his car before he drove off and slammed into the victim's car about 15 minutes later on Illinois Highway 25.

The club does not serve liquor, but patrons are allowed to bring their own. The club argued it was not responsible but the Illinois Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that it bore some responsibility for the accident.

Seeking damages against a business can have a significant impact on a case: In this case, the $1 million settlement was the maximum available under the club's liability policy; the maximum coverage of an auto insurance policy is frequently less than $100,000.

The driver was found guilty in 2007 of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide and is serving a 12-year-prison sentence.

The victim's family was represented by attorney Robert Speers of Aurora.

The host of NPR's "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me," was injured in a Chicago bicycle accident while riding through the west suburbs, Trib Local reported.

Peter Sagal, who is an Oak Park resident was hurt in an accident with a hatchback at an intersection. He remained hospitalized with minor injuries last week, while awaiting additional testing.

Our Chicago injury attorneys continue to report on the large number of serious and fatal bicycle accidents. The next two months will be especially dangerous for riders, as cyclists seek all the riding time they can get before the onset of winter. More kids will also be riding to and from school as classes resume.

In 2008, a total of 716 cyclists were killed and 52,000 were injured in accidents nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A total of 27 riders were killed in Illinois bicycle accidents.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m being hit by a car,’ because it’s the kind of thing you hear about,” Sagal said in a phone interview with Trib Local from a hospital. “It’s like, ‘wow, so this is happening.”

He entered an intersection on his bike around 10 miles from his residence, he observed the car, but he does not think the driver saw him. There was a collision and a bystander called for help. He was wearing a helmet, which cracked but likely saved him from a serious head injury.

Bicycle accidents at intersections are one of the most common types of injury accidents. Seven of the Top 10 accident scenarios on BicycleSafe.com involve intersection accidents.

Earlier this year on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, we discussed ways to avoid those accidents. That blog also announced that Chicago had been named on of the nation's Top 10 cities for cycling.

It should be noted that this blog was co-written by Gary Annes, a fan of "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me".

Most teen drivers are engaging in distracted-driving behavior despite knowing better, according to the result of a new study published by USAToday.

As our Chicago injury attorneys frequently report, teens are at high risk when it comes to being involved in a serious or fatal car accident in Chicago or the surrounding area.

Illinois has banned text messaging by all drivers and it is illegal for drivers to use hand-held cell phones within the City of Chicago. Other states have not been so proactive in reducing the risk of distracted driving accidents. Twelve states have adopted no rules at all when it comes to the use of cell phones by drivers: Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico and Hawaii.

In any event, teens appear to understand the dangers. But whether they are listening is a different story. The recent survey by Seventeen Magazine found that nearly 90 percent of young drivers engaged in risky behavior, including text messaging or talking on a cell phone while driving, despite knowing the risks.

"Teens do continue to drive distracted even when they recognize the dangers," says William Van Tassel, manager of AAA's driver training programs. "Driving is the first real adult responsibility, but let's face it, they're still teens whose brains aren't fully developed."

A total of 1,999 teens ages 16 to 19 were surveyed. Eighty-four percent said they were aware that distracted driving increased their risk of an accident. However, 86 percent admitted to risky behavior, including talking on the phone, texting, applying makeup, eating, using in-car electronics or riding with four or more passengers.

Other study findings include:

-Drivers 16 and 17 were less likely to be distracted than those ages 18 and 19.

-Teens who had their own vehicle were more likely to drive distracted than those who had to share a vehicle.

-Reasons for using a mobile device while driving included: Didn't think they would get hurt (35 percent); made driving less boring (22 percent); and felt the need to stay connected (21 percent).

Safe Teen Driving Tips in Illinois are available here.

Continue reading "Teens know distracted driving increases risk of a Chicago car accident -- but they use their phones anyway" »

Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have reached a personal injury settlement for a bicycle rider that was injured earlier this year on the North Side. The bike vs. car accident happened at the intersection of Clark and Cornelia back on February 6, 2010 in the afternoon. Our client was riding his bicycle southbound on Clark Street when the driver of a 2005 Ford Escape that was northbound turned left and hit him. The driver was attempting to turn to go westbound on Cornelia and failed to look for bike riders.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the accident and ticketed the driver for failing to yield when turning left.

The bicycle rider suffered left shoulder and right knee injuries in the accident. He went to the emergency room at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. There x-rays were taken that were negative for fractures.

Over the next week our client's pain did not go away. He went for further treatment with an orthopaedic physician. The physician in turn ordered physical therapy for the client.

After several weeks the bicyclists shoulder pain remained so the doctor ordered an MRI. The scan showed our client had a mild AC joint separation in his shoulder.

Our client continued with physical therapy and the pain eventually dissipated.

The case settled for just over $31,000 and no lawsuit needed to be filed. Nationwide Insurance paid on the claim.

Continue reading "Chicago bicycle accident lawyers settle injury claim for North Side resident" »

A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a drunk driving Chicago car accident that claimed the life of two friends, the Sun-Times reported.

The 26-year-old Batavia man pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI and one count of DUI in connection with the August 2007 crash that killed two friends. The victims were both 21 years old. The judge rejected a defense argument of extraordinary circumstances and declined to give credit for time served at home on electronic monitoring.

An accident reconstruction expert testified the vehicle was traveling 104 to 113 mph when it left Dugan Road in Sugar Grove Township. The car was nearly split in half after striking a tree. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant survived and was arrested after being treated at the hospital. Blood tests showed the defendant's blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit of .08 and that he had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. The defendant initially admitted to being the driver of the vehicle but later changed his statement.

The three friends had been at a party when the cops arrived and sent home those who were sober. The three men promised to stay at the home through the night, but ended up speeding down the road instead.

Since his arrest, the defendant has spoken more than a dozen times to DUI offenders at drug and alcohol counseling centers and has spent more than 900 days on electronic home monitoring.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 44 percent of drivers who died in Illinois car accidents in 2008 tested positive for alcohol; half of all drivers ages 16 to 24 had alcohol in their systems when involved in a fatal accident.

A 33-year-old Chicago resident died in a pedestrian accident while attending to his disabled vehicle at the side of the highway, the Breaking News Center reported.

Our Chicago accident attorneys report such cases with some frequency. It is not at all unusual for a motorist to be hit and seriously injured or killed while standing outside a disabled vehicle or while awaiting the assistance of law enforcement after a Chicago car accident.

The media reports the victim was in the process of examining his vehicle, with the hood up, when the SUV was slammed into by a passing motorist driving a Chevy Cobalt. The 45-year-old Georgia man who was driving the Cobalt was cited for driving to fast to avoid a collision. Authorities report that additional charges are possible.

Police report the Cobalt had swerved to avoid slowing traffic when it slammed into the victim's 2000 Mitsubishi SUV. The car then swerved several more times before slamming into a concrete median wall and coming to a stop.

An informational sign was actively warning motorists of slowing traffic at the time of the crash, according to police.

Here is the report from the NWI Times.

Here is the report from FOX 28.

Cook County approved the installation of 30 new red light cameras as area officials continue to expand a program they contend is aimed at reducing serious and fatal Chicago car accidents.

In March, we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that area police chiefs had voiced strong support for the program. Detractors claim the cameras are little more than a cash cow for government and are being installed without regard for reducing traffic accidents.

Nationwide, 1 in every 7 traffic fatalities occurs at an intersection. More than 7,700 motorists were killed at intersection crashes in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During the first eight months of last year, the City of Chicago collected nearly $38 million from more than 200 cameras installed throughout the city.

Other states are struggling with the issue. In Florida, lawmakers passed a law earlier this year allowing motorists to be mailed tickets for violations. Palm Beach County reported an increase in rear-end collisions at intersections, with no noticeable decrease in accidents. The county loosened restrictions on right-turn-on-red violations after the mayor was ticketed. In Arizona, the governor recently announced an end to that state's program after motorists largely ignored tickets delivered in the mail.

The move by the Cook County Board will put cameras at 30 intersections in suburban Chicago by mid-summer, including one suburb where the cameras were removed last year. Schaumburg got rid of its cameras last year, saying they were too much trouble and unfair to motorists. However, with the county having jurisdiction over many suburban roads, Schaumburg will get six of the cameras whether it wants them or not.

CBS2 reported the cameras will be installed at the following intersections:

-Lake Avenue and Ridge Road, Wilmette

-87th Street and Roberts Road, Hickory Hills/Justice

-Arlington Heights Road and Lake-Cook Road, Arlington Heights/Buffalo Grove

-Schaumburg Road and Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg

-Vollmer Road and Central Road, Matteson

-Euclid Avenue and Roselle Road, Palatine

-Euclid Avenue and Quentin Road, Palatine

-103rd Street and Roberts Road, Palos Hills

-Lake-Cook Road and McHenry Road, Hickory Hills

-Schaumburg Road and Roselle Road, Schaumburg

-Lake-Cook Road and Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook

-Greenwood Road and 154th Street, South Holland/Dolton

-167th Street and Kedzie Avenue, Hazel Crest/Markham

-Sauk Trail and Orchard Drive, Park Forest

-143rd Street and Ridgeland Avenue, Orland Park

-Buffalo Grove Road and Lake-Cook Road, Buffalo Grove

-Meacham Road and Nerge Road, Elk Grove Village

-Central Road and Roselle Road, Schaumburg

-Lake-Cook Road and Waukegan Road, Deerfield

-Hintz Road and Arlington Heights Road, Arlington heights

-Hintz Road and Wolf Road, Wheeling

-County Line Road and Plainfield Road, Hinsdale

-Roselle Road and Wise Road, Schaumburg

-Meacham Road and Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village

-Wise Road and Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg

-County Line Road and German Church, Burr Ridge

-171st Street and 80th Avenue, Tinley Park

-Arlington Heights Road and Devon Avenue, Elk Grove Village

-Hintz Road and Buffalo Grove Road, Arlington Heights

-Schaumburg Road and Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg

Continue reading "Red light cameras get green light in suburbia; reducing Chicago car accidents the stated aim" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching a Safe Summer Driving campaign, aimed at urging motorists to practice safe driving habits and reduce the risk of being involved in a serious or fatal car accident.

Our Chicago accident lawyers continue to report on the large number of Illinois car accidents caused by distracted driving, drunk driving, aggressive driving, speeding and other poor driving choices. Sometimes being in an accident is unavoidable. But doing your part and discussing safe driving with your family can go a long way toward ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable summer driving season.

Distracted Driving: Each year an estimated 6,000 people are killed and more than 500,000 are seriously injured in traffic accidents caused by distracted driving. Text messaging and talking on the cell phone are two of the most dangerous practices. Other forms of driver distraction include eating, grooming, talking to passengers or using in-car technologies, such as GPS systems or Mp3 players.

Teen Drivers: As we report often, traffic accidents are the number one cause of death among teenagers ages 15 to 20. In fact, they are the number one cause of death for all children over the age of 3. However, teenagers are at high risk because of the freedom and independence that come with summer driving with friends. If you have not shared with your teen the graphic public service video we posted on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, please do so and speak with them about the dangers of distracted driving.

Tire Inflation & Vehicle Maintenance: The hot summer weather and worn or underinflated tires can be a deadly combination. Motorists should have their vehicle serviced and make sure their tires are in good repair. We continue to report cases of motorists being struck and killed on the freeway while attempting to change a tire or walk for help. Visit SafeCar.gov for more information on tire safety.

Top Summer Safety Tips:

-Never leave a child unattended in or near a vehicle. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly and quickly approach lethal levels. Adults should also pay close attention to children when moving or backing a vehicle.

-Always utilize the proper child restraints for children. For more information visit www.safecar.gov.

-Buckle up. It's the law.

-Don't drink and drive.

-Avoid fatigue and reduce stress. Drivers should get plenty of rest and leave in plenty of time to reach their destination.

-Keep your vehicle properly maintained. Make sure windshield wipers, lights and other equipment are functioning properly.

Continue reading "Safe driving habits can reduce the risk of Chicago car accidents this summer" »

It's official: Chicago car accidents and accidents elsewhere in Illinois are one again on pace to hit record lows, the Illinois Department of Transportation reported.

As our Chicago injury attorneys have reported both here and on our sister site, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, the numbers of fatal traffic crashes are at record lows across the region. And the 928 fatal Illinois crashes in 2009 were already the fewest in nearly a century of reporting.

IDOT reports the overall number of Illinois traffic fatalities is down by 16.8 percent for the first six months of the year, from 434 in 2009 to 361 in 2010. Safety advocates point to increases in seat belt use and enhanced safety measures, including the state's new law against text messaging while driving.

However, as we have reported both here and on our sister site, Chicago Car Accidents Lawyers Blog, many experts cite the economic downturn as the main reason for fewer traffic accidents being reported nationwide.

“We are extremely proud of the dedication, hard work and diligence shown by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety, our partners, and Illinois motorists whose positive efforts have made this historic achievement possible,” said IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig.

The state reports a dramatic improvement in seat-belt usage rates since 2003, from 76.2 percent to 92.6 percent. Only 16 states report seat-belt compliance rates that are as good or better than Illinois'.

Meanwhile, the number of fatal Illinois traffic accidents has steadily declined.

2003: 1,454
2004: 1,355
2005: 1, 363
2006: 1,254
2007: 1,248
2008: 1,043
2009: 928

Continue reading "State continues to report decline in number of Chicago car accidents, fatal accidents throughout Illinois" »

A Chicago taxi cab accident injured at least four people after a cab crashed into a downtown convenience store, the Breaking News Center reported.

The accident happened about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. The taxi was involved in a two-car accident at the corner of Adams Street and Wabash Avenue when the Crown Victoria crashed through the 7-Eleven's front windows.

A Toyota Camry was also involved and slammed into a large newspaper vending machine nearby. No one was struck inside the store, according to the Chicago Fire Department. The taxi came to a stop near a display inside the store.

Both drivers were transported to area hospitals in fair-to-serious condition. The city's Department of Buildings was called to the scene to assess the severity of the building's damage.

Our Chicago accident attorneys see these types of accidents on a fairly regular basis. As we reported last month on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, eight people were hospitalized after an SUV jumped a curve and slammed into Petterino's Restaurant on North Dearborn Street downtown.

It was the third time the restaurant was struck in little more than a year.

Last July, we reported an accident that occurred when a motorist drove through the front of a Curves Fitness Center.

Continue reading "Chicago car accident sends taxi careening into downtown convenience store" »

Police are looking for the vehicle responsible for a Chicago car accident that injured nine people over the weekend, the Sun-Times reported.

The three-car accident injured nine motorists Saturday night on the Bishop Ford Freeway (I-94) on the city's South Side, according to Illinois State Police. The crash happened about 10 p.m. near 130th Street when a vehicle struck another vehicle in the northbound lanes. The second vehicle collided with a third vehicle before being pushed into a ditch with five motorists inside.

The vehicle that started the accident fled the scene. No one was taken to the hospital in the third vehicle; four people were treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Among the passengers in the car forced into the ditch: One person was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious to critical condition; two were taken to Metro South Medical Center and one was transported to Roseland Community Hospital.

Elsewhere over the weekend, an Illinois motorcycle accident claimed the life of a rider in Will County. The accident happened on Center Point Drive in Elmwood when the motorcycle veered off the roadway and crashed shortly before 5 a.m. Saturday. The rider was taken to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where he was pronounced dead.

A Chicago semi accident claimed the life of a 92-year-old woman on Friday afternoon in Riverside, the Breaking News Center reported.

Police responded to the crash at First and Forest avenues at about 1:30 p.m. Police found a heavily damaged 2001 Chevy Impala sitting in the intersection and a semi sitting in a nearby wooded area. A 92-year old passenger in the Impala was transported to Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, where she was pronounced dead. Several other occupants were also transported to the hospital.

Cause of the accident remains under investigation.

While the number of fatal car accidents continues to decline, you may be at increased risk of a Chicago car accident caused by distracted driving, according to a new report by the Governor's Highway Safety Association.

Through July 13, a total of 431 traffic fatalities have been reported in Illinois, 50 fewer than the 481 reported during the same period of 2009, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. And, as we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog in January, the 928 Illinois traffic fatalities recorded in 2009 were the fewest in a century of reporting.

But the new report by the Governor's Association highlights the increase in accidents blamed on distracted driving. The total number of traffic fatalities has declined nationwide, from 42,836 in 2004 to 37,261 in 2008. However, the number of fatal accidents blamed on distracted driving has increased by about 25 percent, from 4,978 in 2004 to 5,870 in 2008.

"Distracted driving is an emerging problem but a significant highway safety issue," said Vernon F. Betkey Jr., chairman of the Governor's Association. "Certainly most of the attention has been on texting and driving but there are a host of other distractions including cell phone calls (both handheld and hands-free) as well as more traditional ones such as eating, adjusting the radio, using the CD player or talking to passengers. Drivers need to be reminded to manage these distractions safely."

Among the studies findings:

-The advent of Blackberry's, Smart Phones, GPS devices and electronic notebooks has led to more potential driver distractions than ever before and such devices continue to be invented at a pace difficult to match by lawmakers and safety advocates.

-The number of drivers using cell phones at any given point has increased by 50 percent in the last six years (from 1 in 25 to 3 in 50).

-Only 34 states collect specific information on cell phone use at crash sites.

-About half of states do not provide information on distracted driving to teenagers.

-28 states (including Illinois) now ban text messaging by drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 6,000 motorists are killed each year and more than 500,000 are injured in accidents caused by distracted driving. The Governor's Association notes the actual number is probably much higher because of the lack of mandated data collection regarding distracted driving.

"We need to develop a traffic safety culture that does not condone driving while distracted much like we have done with drunk driving," Betkey said.

Continue reading "Motorists may be at increased risk of Chicago car accidents caused by distracted driving " »

A suburban Chicago car accident killed an 81-year-old man near Wheaton on Sunday night, the Daily Herald reported.

Authorities report that a 2004 Dodge Dakota was heading east on Butterfield Road near Arrowhead Drive at about 8:40 p.m. Sunday when the victim's Mercury Grand Marquis tried to turn out of the golf course to travel west. The truck struck the driver's side front end of the Mercury.

The victim was taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Windfield, where he was pronounced dead at 1:49 a.m. The 23-year-old driver of the truck was treated for minor injuries and released.

Butterfield Road was closed for about three yours as authorities conducted the investigation. The accident remains under investigation and no citations have been issued.

Elsewhere on Monday, a Chicago man died in a traffic accident at the border of the city and Elmwood Park, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office reported. The 40-year-old driver was pronounced dead at 12:51 p.m. at University of Illinois Medical Center following an accident at 2300 N. Harlem Ave., the Sun-Times reported.

No other information about that crash was made available.

Through Monday, a total of 293 fatal Illinois traffic accidents had claimed 431 lives in 2010, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. A total of 481 fatal accidents were reported in Illinois during the same period a year ago.

The Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes wish each of you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend. In preventing injuries over the holiday, we encourage you to leave the fireworks displays to the professionals, drink responsibly and don't drink and drive, practice safe boating and driving habits and speak with your teenagers about staying safe and making good decisions.

Drink Responsibly and Don't Drink and Drive
As our Chicago accident lawyers report frequently, drunk driving is responsible for one-third of Chicago car accidents as well as accidents in Cook County and throughout Illinois. Nationwide, someone dies every 45 minutes in a car accident involving a drunk driver. In Illinois, 434 of 1,043 fatalities involved alcohol in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Safe Boating

The U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,789 accidents killed 709 boaters and injured more than 3,300 in 2008. The leading causes of boating accidents include careless and reckless operation, operator inattention, no proper lookout, operator inexperience and passenger/skier behavior. Alcohol use is a factor in nearly 1 in 5 boating fatalities. In 2008, a total of 119 Illinois boating accidents were reported, killing 19 boaters and injuring 79.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for more information on safe boating and boater education.

Teen Driving Safety
We offer a host of safe teen driving information, both here and on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog. Please take the time to speak with your teenagers about the importance of making good driving decisions this summer.

Fireworks Injuries
The safest way to enjoy fireworks this weekend is by leaving the displays to the professionals. Fireworks injuries are not an abstract concept -- they are a tragically regular occurrence during the New Year's and Fourth of July Holidays.

-In 2006, 11 people were killed and more than 9,200 were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-More than two-thirds of fireworks injuries occur around the Fourth of July.

-One-third of those injured were children under 15. Young people under 20 sustained nearly half of all fireworks injuries.

-The most frequent injuries reported involved the hands (2,300), eyes (1,500) and the head, face and ears (1,400).

-More than half of all injuries involve burns. Other common injuries include contusions, lacerations and foreign objects in the eyes.

-Fireworks injuries are associated with blindness, third-degree burns and permanent scarring. Life-threatening residential and motor-vehicle fires are also reported.

-Firecrackers caused the greatest number of injuries (1,300) followed by sparklers (1,000) and rockets (800).

-More than one-third of fireworks related deaths involve professional devices that are illegally sold to consumers.

-Common causes of fireworks injuries include availability of high-grade fireworks to the consumers, being too close to fireworks, operator error and lack of coordination, child curiosity and experimenting with homemade devices.

Continue reading "Chicago injury lawyers wishing you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July" »

A woman accused of a Chicago drunk driving accident that killed 5 teenagers is expected to testify this week as her trial comes to a close in Kendall County, the Daily Herald reported.

The 26-year-old Auora woman is accused of drunk driving in a Feb. 11, 2007 accident while giving 8 teenagers a ride home from an underage drinking party hosted by an 18-year-old Boulder Hill resident. Police say she was driving a 2001 Infiniti Q30 68mph in a 45 mph zone when she lost control and slammed into a telephone pole on Route 31 near River Run Road, 4 miles from the party. Five Oswego High School students -- ages 17, 16, 15, 14, 14 -- died in the crash. The home's owner reported that she and her boyfriend had returned home to find their son having a party and kicked everyone out around 1 a.m.

The defendant's blood-alcohol level was .124, above the legal limit of .08. However, she is contesting the results, saying she vomited during the accident, which can skew test results.

We continue to post information on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog about the dangers teenagers face on the road. Traffic accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Teenagers are often ill-equipped to recognize the risks associated with traffic accidents. In this case, eight kids piled into a car with a woman who may or may not have been under the influence. Regardless, she was speeding down the road in a car with more passengers than it was made to handle and some of the kids must have been forced to ride without seat belts. To say nothing of the distraction of driving eight drunken rowdy teens around at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Parents who host parties, or who arrive home to find their child has hosted a party, also need to be aware of the liability. In this case, the homeowner had an obligation to make sure these kids found a safe ride home. When excessive drinking occurs on a homeowner's property, and a serious or fatal accident results, a homeowner can be held liable in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit -- just as a bar can be held responsible for over-serving a patron.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving offers resources for the parents of high-school students.

As the Fourth of July approaches, our Chicago injury lawyers encourage parents to speak with their teenagers about the importance of making good decisions and staying safe on the road. They should feel free to call home for a ride if they feel they need to do so -- without fear of punishment. And parents need to understand the importance of adult supervision and appropriately host gatherings involving teenagers.

Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have received a good award for one of their clients by way of binding arbitration.

The case stems from an auto accident where the plaintiff was stopped for a red light on southbound River Rd. at Devon in the City of Rosemont, Illinois. As she was sitting stopped at the light she was struck from behind by a vehicle that was driving too fast for conditions.

Our client was seen in Lutheran General Hospital’s Emergency Room on the date of the collision with complaints of back and neck pain. She had no prior history of back or neck problems. She was diagnosed with sprain/strain and instructed to seek follow up care.

She initially sought follow up treatment with a medical doctor later that week. Because of her complaints, the doctor ordered a Lumbar MRI which was performed on March 31, 2008 which identified disk herniations at L5-S1, T12-L1 and T11-T12.

Based upon her condition the plaintiff was prescribed and underwent a lengthy course of physical therapy. Due to her ongoing pain and limitations as a result of her injuries she was referred to a pain specialist who performed bilateral L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 intraarticular facet joint injections on June 12, 2008.

Based upon her good response to the injections and physical therapy, her doctor determined that she reached maximum medical improvement on June 27, 2008.

We recovered $20,000 insurance policy limits from the defendant's insurance carrier, and then moved forward on an under-insured motorist claim against our client's own insurance carrier, State Farm.

Because we were unable to reach a fair settlement, we proceeded to a binding arbitration hearing at ADR Systems. The Judge awarded the plaintiff $49,500.

Four people were seriously injured in a Chicago car accident on Sunday night. The accident in the Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicago's South Side involved multiple vehicles, the Breaking News Center reported.

Police and emergency workers responded to the accident shortly before 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of 70th Street and Stony Island Avenue. Two victims were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious to critical condition. Two other were taken in serious to critical condition to Stroger Hospital of Cook County.

While it was a busy weekend for accidents in the Chicago area, no fatalities were reported. This year is shaping up to be historic in terms of the low number of fatal accidents being reported in Chicago and throughout the state.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reported that a total of 331 fatal Illinois traffic accidents have claimed 363 lives -- 53 fewer than the 414 motorists killed during the same period last year. As our Chicago injury lawyers have reported here and on our sister site, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, last year's rate of fatal accidents in Illinois was already the lowest recorded in nearly half a century of reporting.

2010 fatal Illinois accidents through June 21:

Chicago
2010: 66
2009: 141
2008: 156

Cook County
2010: 99
2009: 244
2008: 259

Will County
2010: 23
2009: 35
2008: 38

DuPage County
2010: 7
2009: 23
2008: 25

Kane County
2010: 7
2009: 28
2008: 31

Lake County
2010: 6
2009: 16
2008: 28

McHenry County:
2010: 6
2009: 13
2008: 17

Authorities responded to a number of hit-and-run crashes and fatal car and pedestrian accidents in the Chicago area over the weekend -- even as state statistics show that fatal Chicago car accidents have declined by more than 50 percent so far this year.

A hit-and-run Chicago car accident injured five people, including two police officers, in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side, according to the Breaking News Center.

The crash happened Sunday afternoon about 3 p.m. when a police cruiser and a civilian vehicle were stopped at an eastbound light on Roosevelt Road at Kedzie Avenue. A car traveling south on Kedzie lost control as it turned right and collided with the civilian vehicle, which collided with the cruiser.

Police say the at-fault vehicle turned out to be stolen. The driver fled on foot and is still be sought by authorities. Two officers and three others were all treated at area hospitals.

An 18-year-old woman was killed Saturday night in a Chicago pedestrian accident. The Tribune reported the woman was attending a graduation party when she was struck by a car and dragged 30-40 feet. Family members say the woman was to start community college on Monday and was a graduate of Proviso West High School in Hillside, where she was a member of the cheerleading, track and swimming teams.

Police say she tripped and fell and was dragged beneath a four-door vehicle.

As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, police are looking for a van involved in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident that killed a 24-year-old man Friday night. The man was hit crossing the street at 9100 S. Stony Island.

On Friday night, a Chicago woman died in a highway accident just over the state line in Indiana, the Sun-Times reported. The 52-year-old woman died on the Indiana Toll road near East Chicago after a vehicle she was riding in pulled out in front of another car and was rear-ended, according to police.

Through Sunday, a total of 318 fatal Illinois crashes have claimed 349 lives -- 46 fewer than during the same period a year ago, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

In Chicago, 64 people have died in traffic accidents compared to 141 during the same period last year.

Chicago car crash lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have reached a policy limits $100,000 settlement for a woman that sustained injuries in an Illinois hit-and-run accident. The automobile collision which took place on October 4, 2009 at approximately 2:40 a.m. The plaintiff riding as a passenger in a vehicle being driven by a friend.

The vehicle had been heading northbound on Wood Street near its intersection with 31st Street in Chicago, Illinois. When they reached the intersection the driver stopped for the stop sign. He then began to make a left turn to proceed westbound on 31st St. Another vehicle heading westbound on 31st St. failed to stop for his stop sign and struck the passenger side of Jason’s vehicle, right where our client was sitting. After the other vehicle came to a rest the hit-and-run driver exited his vehicle and fled the scene of the collision on foot.

The hit-and-run driver failed to stop for a stop sign, failed to keep a proper lookout, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the claimant.

The plaintiff had an immediate onset of left ear pain and neck pain along with abrasions and bleeding to her left ear. She was transported from the scene of the collision by ambulance to the emergency department at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.

Continue reading "Chicago injury attorneys settle hit-and-run car accident claim for $100,000" »

Eight people were hospitalized after an SUV jumped the curve and slammed into a restaurant's outdoor seating area, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

The Chicago accident happened outside Petterino's Restaurant on North Dearborn Street. The vehicle was northbound on Dearborn when it made a wide turn and hit people eating outside. It's the third time the restaurant has been struck by a vehicle in little more than a year.

We reported last April on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that the restaurant was damaged after an Ace taxicab crashed into it shortly after lunch. Nobody in the restaurant was hurt during that incident although passengers in the cab suffered injuries. Police reported that accident happened when the cab swerved to avoid another vehicle and lost control. The restaurant was struck again on May 20.

While no one was seriously injured in those accidents, Wednesday's accident sent two people to the hospital in serious-to-critical condition. Two others were listed in fair-to-serious condition and four were in fair-to-good condition, according to police.

These accidents are a fairly common occurrence in the Chicago area. In July, we reported an accident involving a vehicle that crashed through the front of a Curves Fitness Center. Customers who are injured in an accident on business property should contact a Chicago injury attorney to discuss their rights.

The Southtown Star reported that one or more Chicago pedestrians were also injured in the accident.

The Chicago injury lawyers and staff at Abels & Annes congratulate the Chicago Blackhawks and urge fans to stay safe during Friday's Blackhawk Stanley Cup parade.

ESPN reports the ticker-tape parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Wacker and Washington and will proceed east on Washington to Michigan and then to Wacker. The parade will be carried live on ESPN3.com and ESPNChicago.com. The Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers in a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory in Game 6 on Wednesday night to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 1961.

The Chicago Tribune reported that 19 people were arrested during the post-game celebration and Friday's celebration could get rowdy.

Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive downtown, celebrate responsibly and stay safe. Heavy traffic and enthusiastic celebration will increase the risk of Chicago car accidents, pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents in the downtown area.

Click here to review the parade route.

Mayor Daley said sponsors have stepped forward to pay for the parade and taxpayers will not foot the bill.

The city's special events department said parade festivities should wrap up between noon and 1 p.m. But, with it being Friday, revelers are likely to continue right on into the weekend, as the beginning of the Sox-Cubs three-game series gets underway at Wrigley Field and the Blues Festival begins in Grant Park.

More than 350,000 people attended a parade for the White Sox when they won the World Series in 2005. Friday's crowd is expected to be comparable.

Bus routes along the parade route will be detoured.

Have a great weekend and stay safe!

At least seven people will receive organs from a teenager who died over the weekend as the result of injuries sustained in a Chicago car accident on Memorial Day, the Sun-Times reported.

As Chicago Car Accident Lawyers at our office recently reported, the 16-year-old teen died over the weekend after suffering a brain injury. The Marian High School Student died Saturday at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Her family decided to donate the teen's organs because her grandfather died two decades ago while awaiting a heart transplant.

The girl had been on her way to her grandparent's home to watch the Blackhawks playoff game on television. She was riding in a vehicle driven by her 16-year-old boyfriend when they collided with another vehicle in heavy rain, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office. He was westbound on Sauk Trail, west of Burnham, when he lost control of the truck. Their vehicle was hit in the passenger side by an eastbound SUV driven by a 39-year-old Manhattan man.

Passengers in the other vehicle, including the man's wife and young child, were also injured and transported to the hospital for treatment. The teen's boyfriend was cited for failure to reduce speed and was not seriously injured. Authorities said no charges will be filed as a result of the accident.

Through Monday, a total of 307 fatal Illinois car accidents have claimed 338 lives, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. A total of 371 people were killed during the same period a year ago.

The death of a child is always a tragedy. Unfortunately, teens are at high risk for being involved in a serious or fatal car accident through the summer months. Our Chicago injury attorneys encourage parents to talk to their children about safe driving as school lets out for summer. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008 a total of 164 teenagers were killed in Illinois traffic accidents.

A Chicago car accident in Hyde Park has claimed the life of a 47-year-old woman, the Breaking News Center reported.

The two-car accident happened shortly before 9:30 a.m. Saturday on East 58th Street. She was pronounced dead early Sunday morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

A Chicago motorcycle accident seriously injured a rider who crashed into a wall on the Dan Ryan Expressway, the Sun-Times reported. He was transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital in critical condition. Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash.

As our Chicago injury lawyers have been reporting all spring, serious and fatal motorcycle accidents continue to concern authorities in Illinois and law enforcement nationwide. In 2008, a total of 121 riders were killed in Illinois motorcycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Kane County, a car accident critically injured a 24-year-old Aurora man on Route 25 near Bond Street on Saturday night, The Beacon-News reported. The man was driving a 2009 Chevy Colbalt south on Route 29, when the vehicle crossed into the northbound lanes and struck a 2002 GMC Yukon, according to the sheriff's office.

The 17-year-old driver of the Yukon and two passengers, ages 15 and 18, were also transported to area hospitals with injuries.

The sheriff's office and the Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash, which closed Route 25 until about 10 p.m.

The Beacon-News also reported an Aurora bicycle accident seriously injured a man Friday night. A 24-year-old Joliet woman was cited for failure to reduce speed as a result of the collision.

A Chicago semi accident forced the closure of the northbound lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway early Wednesday morning, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

The crash happened at about 3 a.m. near the 67th Street exit. Northbound lanes were closed after a semi pulling a double trailer was involved in an accident with three other vehicles. The truck jacknifed, causing fuel to spill across the road from one of its tanks, according to Illinois State Police.

A Hazmat crew worked with the Illinois Department of Transportation to clear the scene.

Illinois trucking accidents pose a serious threat to passenger cars. Despite the relative few number of large trucks on the road, trucking accidents accounted for 10 percent of Illinois traffic fatalities in 2008, according to the Department of Transportation.

The occupants of a passenger car involved in an accident with a large truck are the frequent victims.

A total of 14,632 trucking accidents were reported in Illinois that year, claiming 115 lives and injuring 2,940. Of the 115 killed, only 5 were occupants of a tractor trailer. Ninety-nine occupants of other vehicles were killed, along with eight pedestrians and a bicyclist.

Of the 2,940 reported injuries, three-quarters involved victims outside the truck.

The vast majority of Illinois trucking accidents occurred in urban areas: 12,101 compared to 2,531 in rural areas. Accidents on highways accounted for more than half of all urban trucking accidents in Illinois, although nearly 3,000 occurred on city streets.

Nationwide, 380,000 large trucks were involved in accidents in the United States in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A total of 4,229 people were killed and more than 90,000 injured.

Gov. Pat Quinn, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation have proclaimed May Motorcycle Awareness Month and urge motorists to be vigilant in looking for motorcycles.

Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog recently reported a pair of serious Chicago motorcycle accidents in April as riding season begins in earnest and we encourage all motorists and riders to ride and drive safely.

"Start Seeing Motorcycles" will be the primary message geared toward motorists as the state seeks to continue the decrease in Illinois motorcycle accidents and traffic fatalities. Overall traffic fatalities decreased last year to 911, from the 1,043 reported in 2008, while fatal motorcycle accidents dropped slightly, to 130 compared to the 135 recorded in 2008.

"We are very encouraged to see a drop in the number of motorcycle fatalities on our roads and would like to see that trend continue,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “This campaign reinforces the importance of motorcycle safety. We urge every motorist on the road to be on the lookout for motorcycle riders and to ‘Share the Road’ with them.”

Celebrities backing the Illinois campaign include mixed martial artists and motorcycle riders Matt Hughes and Gray Maynard, as well as Stephanie Reaves, the first woman to earn a professional drag racing license through the American Motorcycle Association.

“Motorcycle safety is a fundamental topic close to my heart and thousands of riders in Illinois and across the nation,” Reaves said. “Whether I am racing on the track or traveling on the road, I make sure to wear the proper riding gear and am always aware of my surroundings.”

Additionally, officials are pushing all riders to take advantage of free riding courses being offered to beginning and intermediate riders. Last year, IDOT trained 16,701 students in its Cycle Rider Safety Training Program.

“The Illinois State Police is committed to sustaining the downward trend of traffic crash fatalities in Illinois, and ensuring the safety of motorcyclists,” said Acting Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken. “Troopers throughout the state will continue to monitor speed limits, check license endorsements, and enforce “Fatal Five” moving violations.”

State Police offer the following safety tips:

- Don’t drink and ride.

- Wearing a helmet, protective body wear, boots and gloves is strongly recommended.

- Wearing brightly colored clothing can improve your visibility during the day -- wear reflective clothing at night.

- Ride within your skills and capacity. Riding beyond 80 percent of capacity leaves no margin for error, or for the unexpected.

- Stay alert to what's ahead. Don’t become fixed on what’s just beyond your front tire. Be alert to what's 12-16 seconds ahead, including vehicles, potholes, roadway obstructions, and other potential hazards.

- In an emergency, remember that motorcycles have a far better stopping capacity than larger vehicles. As you avoid a hazard, scan for a safe escape route and keep watch for vehicles approaching from behind.

- At intersections, check left, check front, check right, and check left again. Checking left first and last is important because it is the first lane of oncoming traffic. Continue to scan the intersection in a clockwise pattern. Take special care to watch for vehicles approaching from the front, in case that vehicle turns left in front of you -- 77% of motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle occur when a vehicle makes a left turn in front of an approaching rider.

To learn more about the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program visit www.startseeingmotorcycles.org.

Continue reading "State officials launch Motorcycle Awareness Month in effort to reduce Illinois motorcycle accidents" »

Police are questioning a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident that occurred shortly before midnight Friday, according to the Southtown Star.

A 38-year-old Indiana woman was struck while crossing 95th Street after leaving a bar to buy cigarettes at a nearby gas station. Witnesses told police she was dragged 50 or 60 feet down 95th Street by a Suburban that then turned onto Ridgeland Road, the Sun-Times reported.

She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead at 12:58 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Chicago Ridge police say they have released a man without charges after questioning. Police say the man was a relative of the owner of a black Chevrolet Suburban that was found in Oak Lawn, about eight blocks from the scene of the accident.

The vehicle was found with front-end damage and remains in police custody, where it is undergoing forensic analysis. At least one witness reported the SUV involved in the accident was dark blue, not black.

Illinois State Police are assisting the Chicago Ridge police with the investigation.

As we reported earlier this month on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, more than 150 people are killed each year in Illinois pedestrian accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Lawmakers are considering several new laws aimed at improving safety and reducing the number of serious and fatal pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

A 32-year-old Near West Side man died on Saturday as a result of injuries sustained in a Chicago taxi cab accident, the Tribune reported.

Authorities say the victim was leaning in the window, perhaps arguing with the cab driver, when the cab took off, dragging him for more than a block and running over his legs. He was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. Saturday by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

His parents say the victim was a full-time MBA student and a die-hard Cubs Fan. He was hospitalized at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for more than a week before dying as a result of his injuries.

Family members are pleading with the public to help find the cab driver, who fled the scene. The cab is white with blue stripes. Authorities say the University of Chicago student had been trying to hail a cab outside his house when the argument started, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Family and friends are offering a $20,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the cab driver.

Friends say the victim was always ready to help, and had been nicknamed "Batman" after tackling a burglar who was looting a neighbor's home this year and chasing down a mugger who stole an elderly woman's purse.

Police are reviewing nearby surveillance video with the hope of identifying the cab driver. Anyone with information is asked to call the Chicago Police Department at (312) 745-4521.

Through early May, a total of 258 people have been killed in fatal Illinois car accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Forty-five deaths involved drunk driving accidents, while another 36 fatal crashes involved unlicensed drivers. To date, 13 fewer fatal crashes have occurred this year than during the same period a year ago.

Mother's Day weekend Chicago car accidents included:

A rollover accident on I-57 near 99th and Halsted streets sent six people to the hospital on Mother's Day. The accident occurred in the Far South Side's Washington Heights neighborhood at about 3 p.m., the Breaking News Center reported.

Three of the victims were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, while the remaining victims were taken to other area hospitals. The accident involved at least one overturned vehicle, according to Illinois State Police.

-On that same weekend, a 62-year-old Evanston man was killed after his vehicle crashed in the southbound lanes of I-57. State police report the vehicle struck something in the roadway before crashing into a concrete median about 2 p.m.

-Also, an Englewood car accident injured four people, one of them critically, after a minivan and a car collided on South Carpenter Street, shortly before 1 a.m., according to the News Center.

Police report the 22-year-old driver of a Ford Thunderbird disobeyed a stop sign on Carpenter Avenue at 64th Street, where he collided with a Plymouth Voyager.

-Finally, a 5-year-old boy was killed when a car driven by his mother's boyfriend crashed into a tree in a south suburban neighborhood, the News Center reported. The Chicago Heights car accident occurred about 3:30 a.m. at Steger Road and Carpenter Street. The boy was pronounced dead at St. James Hospital and Health Centers.

Authorities have not determined whether alcohol was involved; the 22-year-old man was treated for minor injuries and given a blood test, the results of which were pending.

A man from Aurora, Illinois has been found guilty in a criminal court bench trial of reckless homicide and aggravated drunk driving for hitting and killing a pedestrian and his dog in Batavia in 2009, according to the Daily Herald . He was found not guilty of first degree murder. The sentence on the DUI charge is 3 to 14 years and sentencing is scheduled for July 23rd.

The defendant had reportedly drank and smoked marijuana prior to taking a car without permission. The car belonged to the girlfriend of a friend.

The victim was walking his dog before going to work at an auto parts store when he was hit. He was taken to St. Charles Hospital and died a short time later.

The Batavia police officer that did the accident reconstruction estimated at trial that the defendant was going 50-56 mph when he skidded onto a sidewalk and hit the pedestrian. The car then came back on the street and struck an SUV.

After the accident, the defendant fled on foot but was arrested by police a short time later.
Police obtained a blood sample from the defendant that showed his BAC was .106, which is above the Illinois legal limit.

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

It has been a week since a Chicago pedestrian was seriously injured when he was dragged by a taxicab for 40-50 yards, according to WGN News. The accident happened in front of the victim's residence near 1600 North Honore Street around 3:30 in the afternoon last Friday. The Chicago pedestrian was leaning into a taxi when the cab suddenly accelerated without warning.

The victim was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. CT scans are showing he has sustained brain damage and may not recover, and may be in a permanent vegetative state if he survives.

Witnesses state that before the accident the victim and cab driver were involved in an argument right before the accident. At some point the driver attempted to leave the scene while the victim's body was still half way inside the cab. There was reportedly a blood trail from the scene where the pedestrian was dragged.

The victim was on his way home from the Cubs game at the time of the accident and about to head out to class as an MBA student at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

The cab driver fled the scene of the accident and has not been located. The taxi was white with blue stripes. If anyone has any information regarding the accident they should contact the Chicago Police Department immediately.

Click here to watch the news video on WGN TV.

An anonymous donor has posted bond for a North Shore teenager accused in a hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident that critically injured a fellow student, ABC7 reported.

The 18-year-old allegedly left the scene after striking a 16-year-old girl outside New Trier High School at Green Bay and Winnetka roads. She was stopped by police about half-an-hour later. The victim suffered a brain injury and is in critical condition.

The judge set bail at $500,000, saying the high bail reflected the fact that the accused teenager admitted that she smoked marijuana the night before the crash. Toxicology results are pending, which could affect the case.

The teen's attorney said there was no way the family could post that kind of a bond. An anonymous donor posted $50,000, the 10 percent required to get the girl released from jail. The family said they do not know the donor. The attorney said the benefactor was horrified by the prospect of the teenager being confined to the Cook County Jail and decided to post the bond.

The girl had been held in the jail's hospital wing after concerns about housing the 18-year-old North Shore teenager in general population. The Chicago Tribune reported that the woman was the mother of two teenage daughters and felt sympathy for the defendant and her family.

The defendant was required to surrender her passport and must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. Her attorney noted the girl was an honor student at one of the best schools in the country and expressed concern that the incident could impact the rest of her life.

The state attorney's office reported that the victim suffered a severe brain injury.

As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 19 years old. One in every 7 traffic fatalities nationwide involves a teenager, leading to more than 5,000 deaths a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Another 250,000 teenagers are seriously injured each year in car accidents, pedestrian accidents and other traffic crashes.

Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to represent an Illinois woman who was injured recently in a bike accident on the North Side of Chicago. The crash took place at Chicago Ave. & Sangamon. The plaintiff was bicycling eastbound on Chicago when the defendant who, was westbound, failed to yield while turning left and hit our client.

The bicyclist was taken by ambulance to Illinois Masonic Medical Center. There she was treated for multiple injuries and lacerations. She has since followed up for treatment with a medical doctor.

As warm weather arrives in Illinois, Chicagoans are again riding, and the Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes are receiving more and more phone calls regarding accidents. Drivers in the Chicago area, especially when Downtown, need to be on the lookout for bike riders.

For good safety tips for both drivers and bicyclists, visit the Illinois Secretary of State's website. The site has a "tips for motorists" section that specifically mentions the dangers of left turns and that drivers need to look out for bikes and let them pass before making the turn.

If you have been injured in a Chicago area bike accident, contact Abels & Annes for a free consultation at (312) 924-7575.

Police are looking for two hit-and-run vehicles involved in striking elderly pedestrians crossing Cottage Grove in separate accidents on Wednesday.

An 80-year-old man has been killed after being run down in a Chicago pedestrian accident by a driver who fled the scene, CBS2 reported.

Residents near Cottage Grove and 53rd Street said the area is a dangerous crossing for pedestrians, particularly the elderly. He was killed less than a block from his apartment as he tried to cross the street. Police say the accident happened shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday. The victim, who used a cane, was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle for a short distance before the driver fled the scene in a vehicle police believe was either gray or white.

Residence say the area near the CTA stop lacks a stop sign or a marked crosswalk and pedestrians and bus passengers face the danger on a daily basis. Police say drivers have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians whether or not there is a marked crosswalk.

Earlier Wednesday, an 89-year-old woman was seriously injured after being struck in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in the 6700 block of Cottage Grove Avenue. That accident involved a female driver and a maroon vehicle, possibly a Buick. Police report the woman was hit about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to ABC 7.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago Police Department Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.

As we reported last month on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, spring and summer is a deadly time for Illinois pedestrian accidents. A total of 135 people were killed in Illinois pedestrian accidents in 2008, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Click here for pedestrian safety tips.

In 2008, pedestrian accidents killed 4,378 people and injured more than 69,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Insurers are gearing up to seek reimbursement from embattled automaker Toyota and motorists who believe a defective vehicle was responsible for an Illinois car accident may also be entitled to collect for damages, the Associated Press reported.

Anyone involved in a Chicago car accident involving a defective vehicle can contact Abels & Annes for a free and confidential appointment to discuss their rights.

Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide this year for a series of problems including sticking gas pedals. The company agreed last month to pay a $16.375 million fine, the largest ever levied by the federal government in connection with defective vehicles, after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found Toyota failed to notify consumers of the safety defect in a timely manner.

“By failing to report known safety problems as it is required to do under the law, Toyota put consumers at risk,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “I am pleased that Toyota has accepted responsibility for violating its legal obligations to report any defects promptly. We are continuing to investigate whether the company has lived up to all its disclosure obligations.”

And the problems continue for Toyota as Consumer Reports issued a rare "Don't Buy" rating this month on the 2010 Lexus GX 460, an SUV in Toyota's flagship luxury line, after concerns that the vehicle was prone to rollover accidents. Toyota issued a recall after the report.

Now, some of the nation's largest auto insurance companies, including Allstate, Geico and State Farm, are seeking to recoup money paid on claims involving the sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles.

A spokesperson with the Insurance Information Institute said not every accident involving a Toyota will be eligible. "Just because you drive one of the cars that was recalled doesn't mean the accident was caused by the faulty accelerator," she said. "It would have to be determined that the cause of the accident was because of the defect."

Federal authorities have linked 52 deaths to sudden acceleration in Toyotas and more than 100 personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against the company.

Older drivers may reduce the chances of a Chicago car accident and sharpen their driving skills using "DriveSharp," a computer program aimed at aging motorist, the Sun-Times reported.

Motorists over the age of 65 are less likely to drive drunk or use cell phones while driving, however their risk of being involved in an accident begins to increase at age 70 and jumps sharply after the age of 80, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As we reported last month on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, Illinois law requires drivers ages 81 to 86 to be pass a driving test every two years. Beginning at age 87, drivers are required to pass an annual examination. That report came following a fatal Illinois bicycle accident involving three Chicago college students who were struck by an 86-year-old motorist.

The "DriveSharp" program has helped 78-year-old Bob Parmacek, who told the Sun-Times he wanted to take a proactive approach to remaining sharp behind the wheel.

"I live in Highland Park, and we get deer on the road every so often, and I'm able to see them much quicker than I did before," Parmacek said. "I don't want to give up my driving, so anything I can do, I'm all for it."

The DriveSharp program works on the premise that cognitive skills can be sharpened with training, just as muscles can be built with lifting weights. The program, developed by Posit Science, consists of two computer games. One game involves tracking jewels hidden behind swimming fish; the other has a user locate road signs and identify cars within a circle.

Posit Science CEO Steven Aldrich told the Sun-Times that the games are designed to improve reaction time and a driver's ability to notice things on the edge of peripheral vision. "It focuses on your divided attention, which is a key piece of driving because you have cars around you and cars behind and in front of you," he said.

The company claims that independent research has shown improvement among older drivers who use the program, saying 10 hours of practice can cut the risk of an at-fault car accident in half.

Allstate Insurance has offered the games to 100,000 Pennsylvania drivers over the age of 55 as part of a pilot program. The insurer reported "significant improvement" in the driving of customers who used the product.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also recommends the product to members, offering it at a discount of $69, compared to the $89 retail price.

Click here to measure your accident risk through the AAA Foundation.

Continue reading "Older drivers may reduce the risk of a Chicago car accident through computer simulation" »

A driver has been accused of driving while intoxicated and reckless homicide after causing a fatal Illinois auto accident that killed a woman and injured 3 others, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. One of the injured was an 11 month old child.

The defendant, a 36 year old Chicago resident, reportedly ran several stop signs at a high rate of speed and rear-ended another car. When police arrived at the scene they had to use a Taser to take the driver into custody, and he is now hospitalized under police watch.

The accident occurred at 30th and Drake Street on the Southwest Side around 2 p.m. on Friday. Two of the injured were taken by ambulance to Stroger Hospital and two others were taken to Mount Sinai.

Alicia Pedroza, age 58, of Chicago was pronounced dead shortly after the accident at Stroger Hospital. She was one of the four in a Kia that was rear-ended and knocked into a 3rd vehicle. The driver of the 3rd car was not hurt.

The Chicago Police Department's Major Accidents Investigation Unit and Harrison Area detectives are handling the investigation.

Click here to read the story as reported by WGN News.

One person was killed and two others seriously injured last Monday in a Chicago train accident on the South Side after a Metra Electric train struck a car, the Breaking News Center reported.

It is the latest in a series of high-profile train accidents plaguing Chicago. As we reported last month on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, malfunctioning gates are believed to be the cause of a fatal accident involving an Amtrak train. The train struck a vehicle at the crossing, killing a popular local dance instructor. In yet another incident, a train killed two Chicago pedestrians, including a small child.

In this case, the accident at 71st Street and Merrill Avenue occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Monday. A 30-year-old man was killed and two others were transported in serious-to-critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

NBC Chicago reported the 347 train hit a vehicle at the intersection and pushed it for a block, before the car rolled over. Two passengers managed to escape but could not free the trapped driver. Emergency crews cut the driver from the wreckage but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The train involved did stop. Train traffic was interrupted: The 10 p.m. inbound 93rd Street/South Chicago was canceled and the outbound trains departing Chicago for 93rd Street did not travel beyond Bryn Mawr Monday night.

Each year, approximately 80 people die in Illinois train accidents, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission. The vast majority of deadly crashes involve motorists and pedestrians who are injured or killed after being struck by trains at railroad crossings. The commission reports that motor vehicle accidents involving trains are 40 times more likely to be fatal.

An East Chicago man is facing four felony counts of drunk driving and leaving the scene, in the wake of a car accident in a construction zone that has claimed the life of an Indiana man.

A judge on Tuesday denied a request by the defendant to be released from jail to take a final exam, according to ABC 7.

As we reported earlier this week on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, the worker was flown by medical helicopter to Loyola University Medical Center in critical condition with head and leg injuries. He died Sunday as a result of his injuries. Charges against the defendant have since been upgraded as a result of the worker's death.

The defendant's mother called police after seeing his car had been involved in an accident. Illinois State Police found him passed out on the couch. The driver reportedly told police he had drank a lot and then drove home and thought he had hit a construction barrel.

The road worker had been filling cracks along westbound I-94 near Burns Harbor at about 3 a.m. when he was hit by a red Chevy Cavalier, which fled the scene. The temporary construction zone was well posted with message boards, construction barrels and signs.

It's the second time in less than a month that an arrest has been made in connection with a serious highway construction zone accident. We reported on our Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog earlier this month that a Gary Indiana man had been arrested for hitting a road crew member on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is urging drivers to obey the law -- move over and slow down for construction workers as summer road work begins in earnest.

Scott's Law requires Illinois motorists to move over whenever possible and to slow down for all emergency and construction vehicles. The law provides for a fine of up to $10,000 for violations and motorists who are cited must appear in court and face a license suspension. The law is named for Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Glenn, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while working an accident scene on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

As prom season begins, Illinois is considering reducing the amount of time that teenagers can drive on weekend nights, the USA Today reported. The Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes urge parents to talk to their children about prom safety.

From 2003 to 2008, a total of 1,563 fatal Illinois car accidents involved teen drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Only California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas reported more teen driving deaths.

WQAD reports that many schools throughout Illinois are using "Operation Prom Night" as a tool to warn teenagers of the dangers of drinking and driving as prom season enters full swing.

"Operation Prom Night" is a graphic display of a drunk driving automobile accident involving serious and fatal injuries and is sponsored by a number of organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

MADD is also promoting "The Power of Parents: It's Your Influence" to promote safe teenage driving.

Parents can help teenagers make the right choices by:

- Establishing clear rules and consequences for underage drinking and monitoring your child's activities.

- Acknowledging that the choice to be drug and alcohol free isn't easy.

-Signing a contract allowing a limo driver to phone parents if alcohol is detected.

-Insisting that only registered passengers be allowed transportation.

-Never serving alcohol to an underage person.

Continue reading "Prom safety critical to avoiding Chicago car accidents involving teenagers" »

A Gary Indiana man was arrested recently and charged because of his involvement in a Chicago car crash that injured a construction worker last summer, WGN News reported.

The Chicago construction zone accident occurred when an SUV slammed into a highway worker closing the gate on his truck along the Dan Ryan Expressway. The defendant was ticketed but failed to appear in court. A warrant issued for his arrest in Cook and four surrounding counties failed to locate him until media reports were broadcast nationwide.

The highway worker was severely injured. A year later he is finally walking again. The worker said he hopes his story provides a lesson to law enforcement and is pushing for nationwide warrants to be issued in cases where highway construction workers are injured.

As we reported in April on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, 31 people died and nearly 2,000 were injured in Illinois road construction accidents in 2008.

Scott's Law, named for a firefighter who was killed after being struck by a motorist at an accident scene on a Chicago expressway, requires vehicles to slow down and move over whenever possible for emergency, construction or maintenance workers. Violators face a mandatory court appearance, driver's license suspension and a fine of up to $10,000.

Illinois law lowers speed limits in construction zones from 65 mph to 55 mph or from 55 mph to 45 mph, although lower speed limits may be posted. Construction workers do not have to be present for motorists to receive a speeding ticket in a construction zone.

Court appearances are mandatory for motorists cited with a work-zone violation and photo-enforcement may be utilized to increase work-zone safety. Motorists who cause a fatal accident in an Illinois work zone may be charged with reckless homicide, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.

As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, Illinois is gearing up for road-construction season, with a series of major summer construction projects, including roadwork on I-290, the Congress Street Bridge and the upper and lower levels of Wacker Drive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to read the entire story.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010 year-to-date crash statistics include:

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

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

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

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

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