Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law into effect today aimed at reducing the number of serious and fatal Chicago bicycle accidents and cycling accidents elsewhere in Illinois, the Examiner reported.

The legislation signed Monday at the Campbell Street Bicycle Shop in suburban Arlington Heights provides new consequences for motorists who travel carelessly or too closely to bikes on the road and will create a "Share the Road" license plate. Profit from the plates will go toward education campaigns.

As our Chicago injury lawyers recently reported, the city has been named the 10th best in the nation for bike riding by Bicycling Magazine. The city's bike plan aims to increase cycling infrastructure by 50 percent to 150 bike-lane miles. Overall, the system will grow to 500 miles.

But Illinois bicycle accidents continue to threaten the health and safety of riders. In 2008, 27 riders were killed and nearly 3,400 were seriously injured in bicycle accidents.

The League of Illinois Bicyclists hailed the new laws, which will make it a Class A misdemeanor or Class 4 felony to drive recklessly near or toward a cyclist. The penalties will depend on whether or not a rider was injured.

Continue reading "New law aimed at reducing Chicago bicycle accidents, cycling accidents throughout Illinois" »

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!

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.

If it has two wheels, watch out for it in May.

As state and federal officials gear up to promote May as Motorcycle Awareness Month, city officials are reminding motorists it is also National Bike Month and are urging motorists to do their part in reducing Chicago bike accidents.

Last month, we reported on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog that the city has been named one of the nation's best for cycling. But Illinois bicycle accidents killed 27 riders in 2008 and seriously injured 3,385. BicycleSafe.com offers a number or rider safety tips to help cyclists enjoy the spring and summer riding season as safely as possible.

On May 1, KMart stores in the Chicago area will be working in conjunction with Mayor Daley's Safe Routes Ambassadors program to educate parents and children about safe riding skills. Each store will also be holding a sweepstakes for a chance to win a children's bike.

Click here for more information and a list of participating stores.

Summer is prime riding season for kids. The Chicago Department of Transportation offers an online safety booklet for parents and children.

Safety tips for children include:

-Slow down and say "excuse me" or ring a bell or horn to avoid scaring or colliding with people you approach from behind while riding a bike.

-Ride one in front of the other when riding with friends.

-Take special care when approaching alleys and driveways. Look left, right, left. Slow down and stop if you can't see whether anything is coming. Look left first and last because that is the direction of oncoming traffic.

-Make sure a driver sees you before proceeding into the path of a vehicle.

-Never cross a street in the middle of the block.

-Before entering the street, stop at the curb and make sure parked cars are not about to move. Look left, right, left for oncoming traffic and make eye contact with any drivers before proceeding.

-Always ride in the same direction cars are traveling.

-Ride three feet from parked cars to avoid being hit by an opening car door.

-Never ride against traffic; it's the easiest way to get hit.

-Don't ride in the street unless a parent has determined it is ok.

-Ride in a straight line, don't zig-zag or move in an out of traffic or parked cars.

-The safest way to cross a busy street is to get off a bike and push it across in a marked crosswalk.

-Keep an eye on what's behind you.

-Watch for potholes, sewer grates or other road hazards.

Parents are encouraged to review the entire manual with their young riders as spring and summer riding season begins.

Continue reading "Officials to promote safe cycling in effort to reduce Chicago bicycle accidents" »

Chicago injury lawyers are taking note that our City has been named the 10th best city in the nation for bike riding by Bicycling Magazine. As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog earlier this month, spring is a critical time for motorists to keep safety in mind in an effort to reduce Chicago bicycling accidents.

The Chicago Department of Transportation offers a host of safety and recreational resources for bicyclists and motorists. The city's Bike 2015 Plan aims to expand the city's cycling infrastructure by 50 percent, from 104 bike lane miles to 150 bike lane miles. Overall, the system will grow from 315 miles to 500 miles.

Illinois bicycle accidents killed 27 riders in 2008 and seriously injured 3,385.

BicycleSafe.com offers a number of safety tips as well as dangerous areas where cyclists should utilize extra caution:

-The Right Cross: One of the most common ways to get hit is by a car pulling out of a parking lot or entering an intersection from the right. Safety tips include using a headlight, honking, slowing down and riding further to the left.

-The Door Prize: Opening car doors pose a serious risk to cyclists. Riding further to the left will often provide a cyclist with the room and reaction time necessary to avoid a collision.

-The Crosswalk Slam: Cyclists are frequently hit while cross the street in or near a crosswalk, by a vehicle making a right turn. Using a headlight, slowing down and avoiding riding on the sidewalk or in crosswalks can help reduce the danger.

-Wrong-way Wreck: Riding against traffic poses a serious risk to cyclists and is against the law in many areas. Don't do it.

-Red Light of Death: Being pinched by a car turning right at a red light can be dangerous. Avoid stopping in a vehicle's blind spot and be aware of cars turning right when approaching a vehicle on the right.

-Right Hook: A car passing a cyclist will sometimes try to make a sudden right across the bicycle's travel lane. Cyclists can help avoid this danger by not riding on sidewalks or crosswalks, riding to the left to prevent passing and glancing in a rearview mirror before approaching an intersection.

-Left Cross: Vehicles turning left across traffic often fail to spot a cyclist in time: Using headlights, avoiding sidewalk riding, wearing bright clothing, avoiding right-handed passing and slowing down can help improve safety.

-The Rear End: Being rear-ended while on a bike can cause serious or fatal injuries. Never move left without looking behind you; don't swerve in and out of street-parking lanes; and use your mirrors and signals.

Continue reading "Chicago named one of best cities for bike riding; avoiding summer bicycle accidents remains a concern" »

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

Lake County:
-3 fatalities in 3 fatal crashes
-3 driver fatalities

Elsewhere in Illinois, 3 fatalities were recorded in Champaign County, 3 in Vermilion County, 4 in Madison County and 6 in Saint Claire County.

The Greater Chicago area accounts for 13 of the 21 Illinois counties that have reported fatal traffic accidents so far in 2010.

Continue reading "Chicago auto accidents account for bulk of Illinois traffic fatalities in 2010" »

Cyclists and motorists alike should keep safety in mind as spring brings with it an increase in traffic and the risk of serious or fatal Chicago bicycling accidents.

The federal government supports the use of bicycle helmets and bicycle helmet laws as the best defense against head injuries in a bicycle accident.

More than 51,000 bicyclists have died in traffic crashes in the U.S. since 1932, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A federal study in 2006 found that 773 cyclists were killed and more than 44,000 injured.

In 2008, a total of 27 bicycle riders were killed and 3,385 seriously injured in Illinois bicycle accidents.

The estimated annual cost of serious and fatal bicycle accidents is more than $8 billion.

With the growing popularity of cycling for recreation or fitness, the average age of cyclist killed in an accident has increased to 41 -- more than one-third of all fatalities occur to riders ages 35 to 54 and more than 80 percent of all bicycle accident victims are men.

- Children under 14 accounted for 98 fatalities, or 13 percent of bicycle accident deaths.
-13 percent were ages 15 to 24.
- 12 percent were 25 to 34.
- 36 percent were 35 to 54 years old.
- 25 percent were 55 or older.

The federal government reports that bicycle helmets are almost 90 percent effective in mitigating head and brain injuries, making them the single most-effective safety measure a rider can take. Currently, 21 states and more than 149 cities have bicycle helmet laws, primarily geared to young riders under the age of 16.

Current law requires all messengers in the City of Chicago to wear a bicycle helmet. Several other Illinois municipalities also have helmet ordinances, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

Continue reading "Safety awarness reduces the risk of Chicago bike accidents" »

A fatal Illinois bicycle accident has claimed the life of a 17-year-old Chicago student, the Sun-Times reported.

The teen was on a spring break bicycle trip downstate when an 86-year-old driver in a minivan swerved across the center line and struck her and two friends head on, according to Illinois State Police.

All three students were from the University of Chicago Lab School. The two friends, both 18, were taken to hospitals in Evansville in serious but stable condition.

The trio was cycling on Shawneetown/New Haven Road at Ponds Settlement Road — rural roads about 320 miles south of Chicago. The driver was not hurt and authorities said he will not face criminal charges.

Gallatin County Coroner Tony Cox happened to be driving past shortly after the accident and was first on the scene. He said all three girls were unconscious in a ditch and the driver was in shock.

Under state law, drivers over 81 years old must renew their license every two years. The state said the driver had no citations on his record and passed the driving test in November 2008.

Rabbi Aaron Petuchowski of Temple Sholom, said two of the victims participated in temple life.

One of the surviving girls was wearing a helmet but suffered two broken wrists, a broken jaw and broken bones in her face.

In 2008, 27 people were killed in Illinois bicycle accidents and another 3,385 were injured, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Chicago car accident lawyers and the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes urge you to review your automobile insurance policy as we begin the New Year.

Having a solid auto insurance policy that includes more than the Illinois minimum coverage of $20,000 per person/$40,000 per occurrence, as well as uninsured motorist coverage, can help protect you and your family in the wake of a serious or fatal Illinois traffic accident.

The state's minimum coverage can be quickly exhausted by a serious accident and increased coverage is often available for just a few dollars more in premiums.

As a recent article published by MSNBC illustrates, a flight in a medical helicopter can cost $12,000 to $25,000.

In the event of a serious Chicago car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you have adequate insurance coverage.

The MSNBC article reported on the case of a Pennsylvania women who was taken to the hospital by medical helicopter after a car crash and awoke in a hospital room six weeks later to find out she owed $500,000 in medical bills.

As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog in June, Abels & Annes partner Dave Abels told WUIS 91.9 that the state's mandatory minimum coverage of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per occurrence is not adequate in the wake of a serious car accident.

"It covers you for small accidents but not the big accidents that you really care about where your life is changed forever," Abels said.

The Association of Air Medical Services estimates that 550,000 people in the United States are flown by medical helicopters or planes each year for a medical emergency, including car accidents.

Hopefully, few of us will be among that number. But the reality is routine medical costs in the wake of a car accidents can quickly exhaust Illinois minimum car insurance coverage limits. An ambulance ride can cost $2,000, according to the American Ambulance Association.

And Chicago pedestrian accidents, Chicago bicycle accidents and Chicago motorcycle accidents also often lead to very serious injury and sky-high medical bills, which in many cases can be covered by an adequate car insurance policy.

The Air Medical Services reports car accidents are a primary cause of medical flights, noting that nationwide, severe car accidents cause 500,000 hospitalizations, more than 250,000 serious injuries and 42,000 deaths a year in the U.S

The MSNBC article quoted Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, a Harvard University researcher, as saying car accidents and the associated medical bills are a contributing factor in more than 60 percent of all U.S. bankruptcies.

Motorists should also review their policies to make sure they are properly covered in the event of an uninsured or underinsured Chicago car accident.

As reported in August on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, Illinois' tough new uninsured motorist law carries a penalty of up to a year and jail and a $2,500 fine for those who cause an Illinois car accident while driving without insurance.

But that won't help you or a family member pay medical bills in the wake of an accident. Ensuring your policy has adequate coverage in the wake of a Chicago uninsured motorist accident means your family will be protected by your own insurance policy in the event of a serious car accident, regardless of who was at fault.

Continue reading "Chicago injury lawyers urge review of car insurance policy at start of New Year" »

A Chicago motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 47-year-old man on Saturday -- two years after he was struck by an SUV driven by a man whose felony drunk driving case is still pending, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The 47-year-old victim had been living at the Imperial Grove Pavillion nursing home, where he died Saturday. The medical bills in such cases can be astronomical and the pain and distress placed on families is devastating.

While it will be several months before motorcycles take to the roads again in Illinois, motorists are reminded that Chicago bicycle accidents and Chicago pedestrian accidents also often result in serious injury or death because of the vulnerability of such accident victims.

While overall traffic fatalities are down nationwide, the number of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities have not shown significant improvement and fatal motorcycle accidents have risen each year for more than a decade. As reported last fall on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, Illinois motorcycle accidents were up 22 percent last year. Nationwide, 5,290 riders were killed in 2008. Fatalities increased for the 11th straight year and accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

And, as is alleged in this case, more than one-third of Chicago car accidents are caused by a drunk driver.

The driver is facing nine felony counts as a result of the alleged Chicago drunk driving accident. Police say it is uncertain whether the 48-year-old driver will face additional charges as a result of the victim's death.

The Sept. 2, 2007 crash occurred just before 9 p.m. at the intersection of Lawrence and Elston avenues, Chicago police reported. The victim was headed south on Elston on a 1991 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he was struck by a Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which attempted to turn left in front of him.

The defendant remains free on $20,000 bail. He is next scheduled to appear before Cook County Judge Catherine Haberkorn at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, according to court records.

An apparent feud between two drivers ramming into each other resulted in a cyclist being killed in a Chicago bicycle accident on the Northwest Side when he got caught in the altercation on West Diversey, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

As Abels & Annes reported earlier on the firm's Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, authorities had been looking for the driver of a white van, who left the vehicle and fled on foot after striking the cyclist.

Police now allege the fatal accident that killed Jepson Livingston resulted from an altercation in which two drivers were ramming into each other before the driver of the van suddenly veered into the cyclist.

The incident occurred in Logan Square on Tuesday. Livingston was on his way to fill out job applications when he was run down in the 3800 block of West Diversey.

The 32-year-old native Chicagoan was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead after half an hour after the accident.

The victim's sister told reporters that Livingston loved the holidays and was going to fill out job applications amid the tough economy.

The Sun-Times reported that police were not treating the incident as accidental and that Grand Central Area detectives are conducting a criminal investigation, with the assistance of the police Major Accidents Investigation Unit.

A cyclist was killed over the weekend in a Chicago bicycle accident involving a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo, the Sun-Times reported.

The bicyclist was struck by the car shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday night in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood, according to police.

The 22-year-old Northwest Side man was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center , where he was listed in critical condition Monday afternoon.

The driver was issued two citations for negligent driving and overtaking a vehicle on the right, according to police.

The Monte Carlo was driving south on Austin when it went around a vehicle stopped at a green light and struck the cyclist, who was headed west on Montrose. The driver stopped, called 911 and attempted to assist the cyclist, police reported.

A total of 716 bicyclists were killed in the United States last year and another 52,000 injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Illinois had the sixth-highest bicycle fatality rate in the country last year when 27 people were killed and 3,385 injured, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Five counties in and around Chicago were responsible for almost half of Illinois traffic fatalities last year, according to the 2008 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Chicago car accident attorneys and injury lawyers at Abels & Annes are publishing a series of blogs taking a look at the new comprehensive traffic data here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog.

Last year, 569 people were killed and 78,509 people were injured in urban Illinois car accidents, compared to 474 killed and 15,512 injured in rural accidents. Abels & Annes previously reported there were 408 Chicago car accident fatalities in the five-county area in 2008, accounting for 70 percent of the state's urban accidents and about 40 percent of the 1,043 traffic fatalities that occurred statewide in 2008.

The most common type of injury crash was rear-end collisions, which caused 25,817 injuries statewide in 2008, followed by "turning accidents," the state's second-most-common injury accident with 17,650 injuries.

The most fatal crashes occurred in a collision with a fixed object (283), followed by pedestrian fatalities (129), head-on collisions (105) and overturned vehicles (104).

10 Most common Illinois accidents:
Rear-end collision: 115,713
Turning: 60,399
Fixed object: 48,914
Parked: 48,507
Angle: 41,723
Sideswipe same direction: 35,366
Animal: 25,271
Vehicle overturned: 5,816
Pedestrian: 5,671
Sideswipe opposite direction: 5,492

Continue reading "40 percent of Illinois traffic fatalities occur as a result of Chicago car accidents" »

The Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have successfully recovered $27,500 in damages from State Farm insurance on behalf of a client who suffered a leg laceration and hand injury in a Chicago bicycle accident.

The case also included $2,445.98 in negotiated reductions of medical bills at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and a $142.40 reduction in medical bills from Wellington Radiology. After reductions, clients medical bills totaled just under $6,500.

The accident occurred shortly before 8 a.m. on Nov. 29,2007 when 21-year-old client was riding his bike southbound in the bike lane on Clybourn Avenue; a 30-year-old Chicago woman in a 2007 Ford Escape opened her car door into his path.

The force of the impact caused the client to flip over the bike and land on the pavement. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

It is the second settlement Abels & Annes has made for a Chicago bicycle accident victim in the last month where our client was injured by an opening car door; the firm recovered $50,000 in October on behalf of another client in the same type situation.

Illinois was ranked sixth-deadliest for bicycle accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Last year, 27 people were killed in bicycle accidents in Illinois. Nationwide, 716 people lost their lives and more than 52,000 were injured in bicycle accidents.

For more information about the work of Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes, visit the Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog or the firm's summer safe cyclist blog.

A total of 716 bicyclists were killed in the United States during 2008 and another 52,000 were injured, according to statistics just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vast majority of those involved in fatal bicycle accidents were middle-aged men, ages 35-64.

Overall, bicycle fatalities have declined 6 percent in the last decade -- 760 cyclists were killed in 1998. However, bicycle deaths increased from the 701 deaths recorded in 2007.

The Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes are outspoken advocates for the rights of cyclists and experienced Chicago injury lawyers who fight for the rights of cyclists who are injured or killed.

The most bicycle deaths ever recorded was 1,003 in 1975.

In Illinois, 27 people were killed in bicycle accidents, the sixth-highest in the nation.

The five states with the most bicycle fatalities were Florida (125), California (109), Texas (53), New York (42) and North Carolina (32).

One in seven bicycle fatalities in 2008 were between the ages of 5 and 15.

The average age of cyclists injured or killed has been increasing along with the popularity of cycling among older adults. The average age of cyclists killed increased from 32 in 1998 to 41 last year. The average age of bicycle injuries increased from 24 in 1998 to 31 last year.

Cycling fatalities occur primarily among men, with 87 percent of fatalities and 79 percent of injuries involving males.

Men ages 45-54 were involved in the most fatal accidents (161) followed by men ages 55-64 (103) and men ages 35-44 (77).

For more information about the work of Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Abels & Annes, visit the Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog or the firm's summer safe cyclist blog.

Continue reading "Middle-aged men most likely to be killed in Chicago bicycle accidents" »

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 years old, according to 2008 crash statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Some of the most tragic and difficult cases handled by the Chicago car accident attorneys and the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes involve the serious injury or death of a child in a car accident.

In 2008, 1,347 young passengers were killed in traffic accidents nationwide and 193,000 were injured. Every day, an average of 4 children under the age of 14 are killed and 529 injured in traffic accidents.

Illinois ranked 6th in the nation for the highest number of children killed in automobile accidents. Texas (154), California (142), Florida (73), Georgia (65) and North Carolina (45) were the five deadliest states.

Nationwide, alcohol was involved in 16 percent of the fatal crashes -- about half of those occurred when a child passenger of a drunk driver was killed.

A total of 270 children were killed in pedestrian accidents and another 13,000 were injured. About half of these child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 4 and 8 p.m.

Eighty-one children were killed in bicycle accidents and another 52,000 were injured.

The report concluded that child-safety seats reduced the risk of fatal injury to infants by 71 percent and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars.

Continue reading "Traffic accidents leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14" »

The severity and number of bicycle injuries has increased with the popularity of cycling for fitness, to save money amid high gas prices and to avoid congestion, according to a report presented in Chicago this week at the American College of Surgeons' 95th annual Clinical Congress.

The Chicago bicycle accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes have also seen an increase in the number of serious and fatal bicycle accidents the firm is asked to represent. Click here to visit our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog for more information about our work with bicyclists.

Researchers studying 329 bicycle accidents found the length of hospital stays has increased substantially over the years as has the number of serious injuries, including chest injuries (up 15 percent), abdominal injuries (up 300 percent) and head injuries, which were reported in about one-third of cases, according to the LA Times.

ABC7 reported the most serious injuries continue to come from bicyclists who are struck by cars.

Nationwide, bicycle accidents last year killed 716 and injured 52,000, compared to 701 deaths and 43,000 injuries in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Illinois, 27 people were killed last year, up from 18 in 2007 and the most in the 5-year study period for which statistics are readily available. Half of those deaths occurred in Cook County.

Click here for more information on the extensive work being done by the Chicago Department of Transportation on the city's bike trails, as well as safety advice, event information and other resources geared toward Chicago bicyclists.

Continue reading "Serious injuries on the rise for Chicago bicycle accidents, bike accidents nationwide" »

A Cicero man was sentenced to 7 years in prison this week for causing a fatal Chicago car vs. bicycle accident last year while driving drunk, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The 50-year-old man pleaded guilty at the Cook County courthouse in Maywood in connection with the Chicago drunk driving accident. He had been charged with one count each of aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury.

He admitted to running a red light in his van on Roosevelt Road about 8:30 p.m. on July 23, 2008, where he struck a 49-year-old woman crossing Roosevelt on her bicycle. He left her lying in the street, severely wounded with broken bones and a head injury and fled the scene because he did not have a driver's license, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The victim, Wilma Bradford, 49, of Cicero, survived for six months in a coma before dying in January as a result of her injuries.

Police found the hit-and-run driver in the attic of his home about an hour after the crash. Blood and urine samples taken four hours after the crash showed he had cocaine in his system and a blood-alcohol content of .06, just under the legal limit of .08.

His license was suspended because at the time of the accident and he had just been convicted of misdemeanor driving under the influence, according to Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Santini.

It has not been reported if the family of the victim is pursuing a civil wrongful death action against the driver.

Continue reading "Cicero driver sentenced to prison for killing bicyclist in Chicago drunk driving accident" »

Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to represent a Chicago bike rider that was seriously injured this past week by an opening car door on the North Side. The accident took place in the 3600 block of Southport between Addison and Waveland on August 15, 2009. Our client was riding southbound when a driver who was not paying attention swung his car door open into traffic, causing him and another biker to fall. The Chicago Police Department investigated the accident.

The Chicago bicyclist was treated the same day in the ER at John Stroger Cook County Hospital in Chicago. There he was x-rayed and diagnosed with fractures in his right wrist, left elbow, and left clavicle.

Since the accident he has followed up with Greenleaf Orthopaedics in Lake County, Illinois, and has been informed that he will need to undergo surgery to repair his elbow fracture. The procedure is scheduled for later this week.

As we have stated in previous articles, careless motorists opening car doors into traffic is a serious hazard to bikers in the Chicago area. Especially during summer months, drivers have to be aware of the large number of bike riders on the streets of Chicago.

Our law firm currently represents another bike rider who was hit by a car door a month ago. He is currently paralyzed, he suffered a collapsed lung, and his future health is uncertain at this time.

The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes remind motorists that over 400,000 children head back to the city's 666 schools over the next month.

The Chicago Public School's first day of classes for most students is September 8th, and Track E students already started this week. Most of the suburban schools start in the coming weeks of August.

The start of the school year puts school buses back on the road, kids at bus stops and crosswalks, school zones where children are likely to be in the roadway and kids walking or bicycling to school.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced last week a $13 million initiative to encourage more children to walk or ride their bikes to school. The federal Safe Routes to School program includes 171 funding projects, from sidewalk repair to equipment for police and crossing guards.

“With Illinois ranked fourth in the nation for childhood obesity rates, providing children with a safe and secure means of walking to school is an important tool to improve the health of our children," Quinn said.

The program is designed to:

Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school

Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation option

Facilitate projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of primary and middle schools

School Bus Safety

The Illinois State Police have issued a pamphlet for motorists regarding school bus safety.

"The majority of children injured or killed in pupil transportation are injured outside the bus," state police report. "Most are struck by motorists who fail to stop for the flashing red lights and extended stop arm."

Motorists who fail to stop for a school bus displaying red warning lights face a mandatory three-month license suspension for a first offense and a one-year mandatory suspension of subequent offenses.

School Zone Safety

A new law makes it illegal to use a cell phone in a school zone unless it is equipped with a hands-free device.

Back-to-School Safety

The federal government also offers back-to-school safety tips for parents, students and educators on topics ranging from playground safety to alcohol and drug abuse.

In the past week the Chicago bike accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have agreed to represent three bicyclists that were injured recently in three separate bike vs. car accidents.

One case involves a 29 year old Chicago woman who was riding her bicycle eastbound on Lawrence Avenue in a designated bike lane. As she entered the intersection of Lawrence & Washtenaw an eastbound vehicle turned right and failed to notice the plaintiff. Our client was knocked to the ground, landing on her left side.

She was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at Swedish Covenant Hospital where she was diagnosed with a fracture in her left foot, and left knee and shoulder injuries. She has since followed up with a medical doctor and has been scheduled for surgery to repair the fracture.

The accident was investigated by the Chicago Police Department. The officer ticketed the at fault driver for failing to yield to the bicyclist.

Our law firm will be pursuing a claim against the defendant's auto insurance carrier to recover for our client's injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of income (as she is off work due to the accident).

Most of the bicycle vs. car accident cases we work on occur when a driver is turning and fails to keep a proper look out for bike riders. Drivers need to remember that they are sharing the roads of Chicago with many bicyclists, especially during this time of the year, and careful driving is required.

Another common accident is when drivers fail to look for for bicycles when opening car doors. This type of accident can be a nightmare for bicyclists, as they have little or no time to react to the swinging car door, and the bike rider usually flips over, exposing him or her to serious injuries.

The bicycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes join Chicago and Illinois authorities in advocating safety and awareness this summer to reduce bicycle accidents.

The Chicago Department of Transportation began a series of 20 Share the Road events last week that will stretch across five city wards and into August in an effort to increase awareness.

"To ensure everyone's safety, all users of the public way need to follow the rules," said CDOT Commissioner Thomas G. Bryrne. "Safety is our No. 1 priority and the Share the Road program is an effective way to work toward that goal."

Nationwide, 698 bicyclists were killed and another 44,000 seriously injured in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Bicycling is a popular form of recreation and a practical means of travel for more than 4 million people in Illinois. But the Illinois Department of Transportation estimates more than 4,000 Illinois residents are seriously injured each year in bicycle accidents.

IDOT has released a public service announcement for the summer, emphasizing the legal requirement to give cyclists at least three-foot of clearance when making a pass. "There is plenty of room for us all, Please Don't Squeeze."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the majority of bicycle accidents occur between 5 and 9 p.m.

"Our goal is to keep everyone on the road safe," 42 Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly said. "Cyclists need to be protected but they also need to ride responsibly and follow the laws of the road."

The city plans to have 500 miles of bike trails by 2015 -- motorists should remember every bicycle on the road means one less car adding to the congestion.

An excellent map of Chicago-area bike paths and trails is available by clicking here.

Citywide, law enforcement is receiving special training to enforce the new bicycle safety ordinances that were passed in March 2009 -- and the city's bike-lane parking ordinance will carry a $150 fine, up from $100 last year.

IDOT offers the following rider safety tips as part of its Summer Survival Guide.

Continue reading "Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes call for summer of safety and awareness" »

A Chicago Police Officer has been charged with the hit and run death of a teenage bicycle rider, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The charges include reckless homicide, leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury, and aggravated DUI.

The car vs. bike accident occurred in the 8000 block of South Ashland on Friday at 1:30 am. The victim, 13 year old Trenton Booker, was riding his bicycle when he was hit by an off duty police officer who was driving his Dodge Charger the wrong way on a one-way street.

The officer has been relieved of his police powers and he was arrested after the accident. Further, a Chicago Police Department internal investigation has begun. The officer is a 39 year old narcotics officer who has been with the police department for 17 years.

The victim was going to graduate from 8th grade in June.

In Chicago, Illinois a bicycle rider that was hit by a cab near Grant Park opened his eyes today as his family looked on at Northwestern Hospital. The bike vs. taxi accident happened at the intersection of Balbo & Columbus just after 10 pm on Tuesday night.

A witness to the accident states that the collision occurred when a speeding cab ran a red light. The witness says the victim was eastbound on Balbo and had almost made it across Columbus when he was hit. He also states that the taxicab was going at least 10 mph over the posted limit.

The bicyclist was critically injured and taken by ambulance to Northwestern. He suffered a subdural hematoma, and surgeons had to remove a large piece of his skull to relieve the swelling. The bone is frozen at the hospital will be reinserted at a later date.

The family of the victim has retained Abels & Annes to pursue a civil claim against the at fault driver and the taxicab company.

In Chicago, Illinois as spring weather arrives, more and more bicycle riders are on the street. It is only the end of March and injury lawyers at Abels & Annes are working on their first bike vs. car accident case of the season.

A North Side resident was injured last weekend when he was struck by an opening car door. He was riding southbound on Southport Avenue just north of Addison Street in a marked and designated bicycle lane. As he was passing a parked car on the west side of the street, the driver swung the vehicle door open into the bike lane causing the plaintiff to flip over it and land on his back.

The bike rider immediately had severe shoulder and neck pain. An ambulance transported him to Thorek Hospital on Irving Park Road in Chicago. At the ER he was diagnosed with a separated shoulder.

As of today, the plaintiff is having shoulder pain and swelling, and neck pain. He is going for follow up treatment with a medical doctor in the Chicago area.

Last year in Chicago our law firm saw a dramatic increase in bike accident injuries (pedestrian accidents seem to be on the rise as well).

While the bicyclist in this case could not have avoided the accident, here are a few safety tips offered by the Illinois Secretary of State's Office:

1. Only one person should ride on a bike;

2. If riding with a group on the street, ride in single file and not next to each other;

3. Try to avoid riding at night;

4. Rid your bicycle as close as possible to the right hand side of the road;

5. Keep both hands on your handlebars;

6. Know the rules of the road, as bicycle riders have the same responsibilities on the road as motor vehicle drivers;

7. Always where a helmet; and

8. Make sure your bike is in good operating condition before riding.

If you have been injured in an Illinois bike crash, contact Abels & Annes to speak to an accident lawyer today at 312-924-7575.

Illinois accident attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. have settled a motor vehicle vs. bicycle collision for one of our clients. The traffic accident occurred on August 21, 2008, at approximately 5:00 p.m. as the plaintiff was riding her bike southbound on California Avenue approaching its intersection with Grace Street in Chicago, Illinois. When she reached the intersection, she stopped at a stop sign and then proceeded into the intersection.

As she rode southbound she saw a car eastbound on Grace Street stop at the stop sign. The car failed to see our client and accelerated into the intersection, striking the bike. The front of the car hit the rear tire and rear portion of the bicycle frame. The impact caused our client to be thrown forward off her bicycle, hitting the pavement with her face and both of her knees. When Chicago police officers arrived at the scene, the driver admitted to them that he had been distracted when he began to enter the intersection.

Our client was transported by ambulance to the emergency room at Swedish Covenant Hospital where her history was taken, she was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed. She complained of mouth pain, left elbow pain, right leg pain, and bilateral knee pain. She had a lip laceration and her two front teeth were loose, one was noticeably cracked. In addition, she had abrasions to both of her knees, her right calf, and her left elbow. She was prescribed pain medication and upon discharge instructed to seek follow up care.

The next day our client sought follow up care from her dentist. Upon examination, the dentist discovered that she had fractured several teeth. Due to the severe nature of the damage sustained, it was necessary for her to obtain more specialized care from an oral and cosmetic surgeon.

Our client also sought follow up treatment with an Orthopaedic physician for ongoing and persistent pain in her knees that she suffered from the collision. The pain made walking, or riding a bike, or walking up or down stairs extremely difficult. Her examination revealed swelling in both knees and the doctor diagnosed her with post traumatic synovitis of both knees. Our client was prescribed medication and instructed to return for a follow up evaluation. She returned for follow up treatment and continued to have peripatellar pain in her right knee and occasional aches and pain in her left knee. The doctor ordered her to continue with her medication.

As a result of injuries sustained to her teeth in the collision, our client’s diet was restricted to only soft foods for three months and she was forced to go several weeks with her front teeth missing while she awaited temporary implants. Also, her knees continued to cause her pain and limit her mobility and activities. The case settled for $20,000.00, which is the defendant's insurance policy limits. There was no other insurance coverage available to pay a greater amount on the claim.

Chicago bike accident attorneys from our firm represent many clients who have suffered injuries resulting from bike v. car accidents. If you have been injured in a Chicago area bicycle accident, please contact Abels & Annes for a free consultation.

Accident Attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. have resolved an automobile vs. bike accident case for Aaron Eiger, a former classmate of Dave Abels from Evanston Township High School. The collision took place on October 17, 2007 on the North Side of Chicago.

Aaron was riding his bicycle northbound on Southport in a marked bicycle lane. The defendant was driving her SUV southbound on Southport and began to make a left turn to turn into an alley. The driver failed to look to ensure that it was safe to make this maneuver and struck Aaron on his bicycle. The force of the SUV hitting Aaron on his bicycle threw him on through the air into a parked car.

Following the collision Aaron had an immediate onset of pain and discomfort. Aaron was taken from the scene of the collision by ambulance to Illinois Masonic Hospital. At the time of his arrival he complained of left knee pain and shoulder pain. A history was taken, Aaron was examined and diagnostic tests, including x-rays were preformed. Aaron was prescribed pain medications. Upon discharge he was diagnosed with a left knee contusion and multiple abrasions. Aaron was instructed to follow up with a physician.

Two days later Aaron sought follow up treatment from Dr. Steven Sclamberg, M.D. He sought treatment for his complaints of left knee and right shoulder pain. Aaron continued to treat with Dr. Sclamberg through August 7, 2008.

Aaron also underwent physical therapy at Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers for two months. During the course of physical therapy he reported pain with activities such as lifting and carrying his young children.

Aaron incurred over $8,000 in medical bills and his case settled for $35,000.

In the Chicago suburb of Burbank, Illinois a bicyclist has been killed in a hit-and-run accident. The accident happened on September 28, 2008 at about 3 a.m. in the 6300 block of West 87th Street.

The victim, Richard Horvath, 53, was struck while riding his bike just 3 doors away from his residence. A witness thought the offender was driving a white Chrysler, however, Burbank police have recovered pieces of what they believe is part of a white Dodge Ram pickup truck at the scene.

Horvath was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and when he arrived he had no vital signs. He was resuscitated and lived about 23 hours before passing away.

The Burbank Police Department is investigating the accident and anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run should contact them at (708) 924-7300.

In Chicago, Illinois a bicycle rider has been injured as a result of a collision with a car in Logan Square. The accident happened when the bicyclist was southbound on California Avenue crossing Logan Blvd. on a green light. At that time the defendant, who was eastbound on Logan, ran the red light, hit the bicyclist, and then struck another southbound car. The driver was ticketed for failing to obey the red light.

The bike rider, who is a Chicago resident, was taken by ambulance to Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center. At the hospital she was diagnosed with a spinal fracture. The bicyclist is having further treatment with an orthopaedic surgeon in Chicago.

The injured bike rider has retained Abels & Annes, P.C. to pursue an injury claim against the at fault driver.

In Chicago, Illinois bicycle accident attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. have reached an insurance policy limits settlement for a local resident stemming from a March 2008 crash. Our client was riding to work southbound on Halsted Street near Division in a bicycle lane. He was hit by a car that was turning left / westbound. That is the last thing our client remembers until he woke up at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The plaintiff sustained brain hemorrhaging and a sinus fracture as a result of the Chicago bike vs. car accident. He was inpatient at the hospital for several days. The defendant's insurance company tendered their policy limits of $20,000 and our firm is pursuing an under-insured motorist claim against our client's own insurance carrier for an additional $80,000.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Lawyers Reach Insurance Policy Limits Bike Accident Settlement" »

In Chicago, Illinois a bicycle rider has been killed as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle in the Logan Square neighborhood, according to the Chicago Tribune and several other news sources. The accident happened early Sunday morning when the bicyclist was turning left from westbound Logan Blvd. to proceed south on Western Avenue.

The bike rider was hit by an eastbound car that was traveling through the intersection on a yellow light that was turning red. The driver, a 29 year old woman, was given a ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The bicyclist, a Logan Square resident, was later pronounced dead at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center on the North Side.

Continue reading "Fatal Bicycle Accident on the North Side of Chicago" »