Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

According to Governor Pat Quinn, the Illinois Safe Routes to School Program will be offering communities and schools districts nearly $22 million to help ensure safe routes to school for children who bike or walk to school. This program is federally funded and is used to help reduce the risks of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Illinois.

“These projects enhance roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure within communities, which is important in keeping both drivers and pedestrians safe,” Governor Quinn said.

Our Chicago bicycling and pedestrian accident attorneys understand that the funding will be used to support nearly 230 projects aimed at repairing sidewalks as well as providing safety equipment to crossing guards and to police officers. Within the $22 million is nearly $2 million that will be dedicated to helping communities with educational materials, safety training and public service announcements used to encourage school-aged children to walk and bike to school. This allotted $2 million, officials believe, will help to make sure that the statewide program is consistent and that it produces favorable outcomes from safe-traveling projects.

According to Ann Schneider, the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Safe Routes to School grants will help to make our roadways even safer for all pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to educating the community about the importance of these forms of transportation. She also stresses the importance of walking and biking and leading an active lifestyle. This program and these federal funds will hopefully help to lower air pollution and fuel consumption, says Schneider.

Ron Burke, the Executive Director of Active Transportation, agrees with Schneider. He says that walking and biking to school is safer and easier then we're all doing our part to keep our young generations healthy, active and safe.

The Illinois Safe Routes to School program is a part of a federal program conducted by the Federal Highway Administration that is used to facilitate activities and projects that will help to benefit community travel, including lowering fuel consumption, reducing traffic congestion and improving community safety.

Within the state's program, projects are funded at 100 percent with no local match required. Roughly 70 percent of the overall funding is used to assist infrastructure projects while the remaining 30 percent is uses to support community-outreach programs.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 110 people who were killed in pedestrian accidents across the state of Illinois in 2009. Many of these accidents could have been prevented with safer driving habits and with more community awareness. This new grant money is helping to reduce these numbers in the New Year. Drivers are asked to remain cautious and aware of our young and vulnerable travelers along our roadways, especially before and after school. Safe driving habits can help to avoid fatal pedestrian and bicycling accidents.

Continue reading "Grant Money Available to Help Reduce Risks of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois" »

According to the Chicago Pedestrian Plan and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), our city has seen an 8 percent decrease in the number of pedestrian accidents from 2005 to 2009. Among all large U.S. cities, our city has the fifth-lowest pedestrian fatality rate. While that may be something for us to be proud of, we still see more than 3,000 pedestrian accidents in Chicago each year.

Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers understand that there were nearly 3,150 pedestrian accidents in 2009. There were nearly 3,485 in 2008 and more than 3,685 in 2007. While we have seen a slight decrease in the number of accidents through the years, these incidents are still all too common along our roadways. That's why we're asking residents to make one of their New Year's resolutions to make our roadways safer for on-foot traffic. We've discussed various New Year's resolutions over the last four blogs that can be taken to help increase roadway safety. This is the fifth entry of a 6-part blog to do just that, reduce the risks of accidents on Chicago's roads.

There were nearly 35 pedestrians who died in accidents in Chicago in 2009 and nearly 60 in 2008. This new 2009 number serves as a 16-year-low, which is unfortunately because that's still far too many unnecessary fatalities.

Fatality accident information was first available in the city in 1995, when there were nearly 90 fatalities. Since then we've seen more than a 60 percent decrease, but we've got a long way to go.

The number of pedestrian injuries has also decreased in recent years, too. In 2005, there were nearly 650 pedestrian fatalities while in 2009 there were just over 500. Although that serves as a significant decrease, we need to point out that there was in fact an increase in this number from 2008 with 452 to 503 in 2009.

In 2009, the fatality rate for pedestrians in Chicago ranked lower than just 14 other U.S. cities.

Pedestrian Facts from the City of Chicago:

-The number of pedestrian accidents has decreased overall since 2001.

-Pedestrians age 15- to 18-years-old have the highest crash rate per population.

-More males than females are involved in pedestrian accidents.

-Thursdays see the most pedestrian accidents.

-Most accidents happened from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The second most dangerous times for pedestrians on our roadways is from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

-Half of all fatal accidents happen on arterial roads.

-Older pedestrians are more likely to be struck in a crosswalk than younger pedestrians.

-A two-mile corridor along 79th Street held four spots out of the top twenty most dangerous accident intersections.

-Hit-and-run accidents account for about 40 percent of all fatal pedestrian accidents.

-About two hit-and-run accidents happen every day in which a pedestrian is injured or killed.

Continue reading "New Year's Resolutions: Reducing Risks of Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago" »

Throughout the remainder of the year and through the holiday season, parking lots will serve as the backdrop for many accidents in Chicago and elsewhere. Shoppers, drivers and pedestrians should be cautious in these areas to avoid an accident.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys urge residents to be cautious of negligent security, slip and falls, pedestrians, ice and broken sidewalks. Property owners should make sure that their facilities are reasonably safe.

Another hazard in parking lots can be cracks, potholes, unclear parking lot striping, improper signage, garbage and debris. When it gets cold, snow and ice can be additional hazards. Walkways should be clearly marked and properly maintained and signage should be present to help protect pedestrian traffic from vehicular traffic. Property owners should also make sure that their parking lots are well lit.

Pedestrians are at extremely high risks for accidents as man drivers will overlook them when backing up out of a parking spot. As a matter of fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking to require back-up cameras on all new vehicles. Although these cameras would in fact help drivers to see pedestrians walking behind their car, driver awareness is the most beneficial safety precaution in preventing these accidents.

Parents are urged to hold the hands of their young children in the parking lot to help ensure that they're not run over by a reversing vehicle. Every year, there are nearly 300 people killed in these types of accidents in the U.S. Another 18,000 are injured. Approximately 40 percent of these fatalities are experienced by children under the age of 5.

Property owners should also keep parking lots free of hazardous debris and dangerous ground hazards. Potholes, cracks in the sidewalk and bumps in the road place walkers at a high risk for a trip and fall accident. When weather conditions are poor and ice and snow cover the pavement, property owners are required to properly address these conditions to make walkways safe for customers.

To safely accommodate pedestrian traffic, property owners should consider the following:

-Ramps, sidewalks and other walkways should be safely designed and properly maintained.

-Cracks in the pavement and potholes should be repaired promptly.

-Road debris and trash should be removed regularly and dumpsters should be placed away from moving traffic.

-Areas that don't drain well should be fixed immediately.

-Lighting the parking lot is key after the sun sets.

-Address snow and ice immediately after accumulation.

-When there are differences in the height of connecting walkways, they should be highlighted with yellow paint to alert on-foot traffic.

-You should have an incident/accident reporting system.

Continue reading "Parking Lots Witness Many Accidents in Chicago throughout Holiday Season" »

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" »

City officials are stopping at nothing to help educate residents about the risks of pedestrian accidents in Chicago. Recently Chicago officials launched a new safety campaign, which includes a lot of dummies.

Officials lined Wacker Drive downtown from Wells Street to Michigan Avenue with more than 30 mannequins to represent the number of pedestrians who were killed on our city's roadways in 2010.

Officials are also pushing a bill to permit traffic cameras to catch speeding drivers, according to the Chicago Tribune. This campaign includes safety messages plastered on the city's sidewalks, stickers inside taxicabs urging passengers to reports any driver with unsafe habits behind the wheel and flags for pedestrians to carry while crossing the street to help increase their visibility.

Our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys understand how big of a problem pedestrian accidents in the city are. It is estimated that about 80 percent of car-pedestrian accidents in the city happen at intersections and most commonly involve pedestrians who use the walk signal. The top cause for these fatal accidents in our area is when drivers fail to yield. According to a recently released study from the city, taxi drivers were involved in nearly 30 percent of the city's pedestrian accidents and nearly 35 percent of all pedestrian accidents in high-crash corridors downtown. Only about 2 percent of these accidents happened outside the central business district.

"You'll notice that some of it is sort of hard-hitting, some of it may even be a little bit shocking," said Chicago Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein.

The mannequins that stood along Wacker Drive wore shirts that read, "One of 32 pedestrians killed last year in Chicago."

The city is coming on strong with a plan. Officials are looking to bring the number of fatal pedestrian accidents down to zero by 2020. If more than 30 pedestrian fatalities weren't enough in 2010, there were approximately 3,000 pedestrians injured in traffic-related crashes across the city.

From 2005 to 2009, there were nearly 17,500 accidents that involved more than 18,350 pedestrians in Chicago. Chicago hit a 16-year low with 34 pedestrian deaths in 2009. That number was down from nearly 90 fatalities in 1994.

The new pedestrian safety campaign was made possible by nearly $550,000 in funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is being conducted by the city's Police Department and the Department of Transportation.

In addition to the outdoor campaigning, the city also launched a new website chicagopedestrianplan.org.

Pedestrian safety messages have also been place on trash bins, bus shelters and sidewalks around the city. Officials are also looking into ways to reach senior citizens, schools and taxi drivers.

Officers are going undercover to catch motorists who aren't grasping the message. Local officers will be dressing up as civilians and will be patrolling popular intersections in search of drivers who don't yield to pedestrians. Drivers who are busted will be ticketed and will receive a fine anywhere from $50 to $500. According to Illinois state law, vehicles must stop for pedestrians.

Continue reading "Mannequins around the City to Warn of Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago" »

Halloween is right around the corner and as our little witches and zombies prepare their costumes for the big night, parents are urged to talk with their little ones about the dangers they'll face on this spooky night. Have fun, but stay safe. It's important to remember that your child is four times more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident in Chicago on Halloween night than during any other night out of the year.

As children make their rounds through our neighborhoods collecting candy, motorists are asked to be extremely careful on our roadways. Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that young children are oftentimes unable to understand the dangers they face on our roadways. It is up to adults to make sure that these little goblins make it back to their haunted house safely this Halloween.

Drivers should keep a heads up, drive slowly through neighborhoods and curb all distractions to help keep our trick-or-treaters safe this year.

Here are some simple tips from the Rush University Medical Center to help keep all little monsters safe during this year's Halloween adventures:

-Make sure everyone is wearing comfortable shoes.

-Alter costumes so that they're not long enough to cause a trip and fall hazard. The National Safety Council reports that falls are the number one cause of unintentional injury on Halloween.

-Make sure your costume is flame-retardant. All loose ends should be removed to help prevent a fire.

-Try to avoid a costume with a sword or a knife, but if you're going to carry one with you all night make sure that it's soft enough to not cause injury.

-You should wear face makeup or paint instead of a mask. Masks are dangerous because they can obstruct a person's line of vision and could potentially lead them into the line of danger.

-When purchasing costume makeup, be sure to get the kind that's marked hypoallergenic makeup. Parents are urged to test makeup on a small portion of your child's skin before covering their face.

-Wear light-colored clothing while trick-or-treating to help make sure that motorists can see you.

-All small children should either carry a flashlight or wear reflective tape on their costume.

-Young children should only be allowed to trick-or-treat under the supervision of a responsible adult.

-Feed your child dinner before going out to trick-or-treat. This way they're less likely to snack on candy that you haven't inspected.

-Once you're all home, inspect everyone's treats. Throw away any candy that has been opened or appears to have been tampered with.

-Make sure your child knows not to go into a stranger's house or get into a stranger's car.

-Remove all candies that may be a choking hazard for your small child.

-Motorists are urged to be extra cautious when pulling into or backing out of a driveway. Children are overlooked in these circumstances all too often.

-If you're dropping off a child, always to do on the curb side of the sidewalk. Never let someone out of your vehicle on the traffic side of the car.

Our Illinois injury attorneys and the staff at our law offices would like to wish you and your family a safe and Happy Halloween!

Continue reading "Have a Happy and Injury-Free Halloween! -- From Our Chicago Injury Attorneys" »

A woman from Riverdale has been criminally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after she drove her vehicle into a Chili's restaurant on the south side, according to Fox news. The car caught on fire after the Saturday night Illinois car crash and several restaurant patrons were injured.

The Chili's is located at 1750 W. 119th Street in the Morgan Park neighborhood. The alleged DUI motorist drove a green four-door Chevy Impala into the front corner of the restaurant. The building itself also caught on fire after the accident.

A total of eight people were injured in the accident, including the driver. There were no passengers in the vehicle. All of the injured inside the restaurant were adults. Four people were critically injured.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to the accident scene. They were able to extinguish the fire quickly and put into place what fire officials refer to as a EMS Plan 1, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The driver, age 23, resides on S. Tracy Ave. in Riverdale and has been charged with DUI, damage to public property, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving with no insurance and driving with a suspended license.

Two of the critically injured were taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. The other two people critical were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Three of the others injured were taken to Metro South Medical Center in Blue Island in serious but stable condition. The last person was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Center in stable condition.

As of Sunday afternoon the restaurant remained closed. The specific evidence of the at fault driver's impairment (field sobriety testing, breathalyzer, etc.) has not been disclosed.

It has not reported if a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer is involved in the case yet. Once lawyers get involved, due to the fact that the DUI driver had no insurance, they will look to set up uninsured motorist claims against the victims' own auto insurance policies. There the plaintiff and his or her lawyer can pursue an injury claim against pedestrian's own policy of insurance.

Hopefully each of the restaurant patrons who were critically injured in the accident possess significant auto insurance policies. That way there will be enough coverage to compensate them for their injuries and losses.

In the year 2010, according to IDOT there were just over 5,000 pedestrians injured in accidents with motor vehicles in Illinois. 115 pedestrians were killed. Approximately 97% of the accidents occurred in Urban areas

Continue reading "Chicago pedestrian accident - Motorist drives into Chili’s restaurant" »

Back in 1997, the very first Walk to School Day was launched in Chicago. It was called 'National Walk Our Children to School Day.' During this first event, our city joined students, parents, law enforcement officers, school personnel and city officials on our students' walk to school.

Since then, the event has turned into International Walk to School Day and countries across the world are now participating. In 2002 more than 3 million people participated and in 2005 legislation was passed to award states with federal grants to help reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents.

Our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys invite residents to participate in this year's event which will be held on October 5th. All day, parents, students, law enforcement, school employees and government officials will be walking to help raise awareness about the need for pedestrian-safe roadways for walkers of all ages. This event is also used to encourage our young ones to get out and get active as well as to encourage more to walk to reduce roadways traffic. There will a number of events and walks throughout the state to celebrate the occasion.

Pedestrian accidents in Illinois and elsewhere took the lives of more than 1,300 child pedestrians under the age of 15 in 2009. Another 179,000 young pedestrians were injured in these accidents, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Schools in Chicago that will be participating in this year's events include:

-Disney Ii Magnet School

-Peterson Elementary School

-Philip Rogers Elementary School

-Sauganash Elementary School

-St. John Berchmans School

-Sutherland School

Since the start of the program, nearly 11,500 schools in all 50 states have received federal funding through the 2005 legislation. The event went 'international' back in 2000. Event organizers believe that 2010 was the largest celebration of the event and the campaign as nearly 4,000 events were registered through the website. Many more unregistered events were also held.

According to Transportation for America, there were nearly 2,000 people killed in traffic-related pedestrian accidents from 2000 to 2009 in Illinois. These accidents cost the state more than $7 billion. Illinois ranks right in the middle for pedestrian-safe roadways in our country, sitting at 27th out of all 50 states.

Parents are urged to get out there and join their little ones on the way to school on October 5th. Remember to continue to talk with your child about safe-pedestrian habits. These skills can be used for the rest of their life and may be able to help prevent them from being the victim of a fatal pedestrian accident. Getting out walking also can help them to get healthy, gain self-confidence and become more independent and responsible.

Continue reading "International Walk to School Day Celebrates another Year in Chicago" »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Illinois State University Police offer these safety tips to pedestrians:

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

-Pedestrians must obey walk lights and traffic signals.

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

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

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

-Always walk facing oncoming traffic.

-Make eye contact with drivers when crossing a street.

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

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

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

-Keep looking left and right when crossing the road.

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

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

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

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" »

According to Transportation For America, the metro region of Chicago has more than 8 million travelers. In 2000, nearly 10 percent of this population was urban seniors that were 65-years-old and older and had poor access to transit.

Another 61 percent of suburban and exurban seniors faced poor access. What's even worse is, the total number of seniors with poor access is expected to increase by more than 153,500 by 2015. During this time, a significant portion of the metro area will experience a greater density of seniors with poor transit access.

According to a 2001 survey, conducted by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, of residents ages 43- to 57-years old, nearly 80 percent believed they will see no “serious limits on their activity until after age 70” and almost 50 percent believe that they will remain “active and going strong over age 80.” Many of these residents don't believe that they face any risks for a pedestrian accident in Chicago.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys bring this up because these residents who are 65-years-old and older and live in a community with poor or non-existent public transportation services could be more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident with a motor vehicle. Despite the elderly population's desire to hang on to their independence, the truth is that many of these residents will gradually experience diminishing eye site, fading hearing and the inability to quickly react to dangerous situations.

The number of residents in this age group who live in these areas with poor transit access, is expected to grow rapidly as the baby boomer generation ages.

The recent report "Aging in Place, Stuck without Options" by Transportation For America ranks some of the busiest metro areas by the percentage of seniors with poor access to public transportation.

This report looks to inform the public about the serious and dangerous issues that our elderly populations will face in these metro areas. This is especially important in cash-strapped states with little to no funding for pedestrian safety. The report believes that local governments will be forced to request federal support for assistance in meeting the city's needs and the needs of its elderly population. As Congress prepares to adopt a new, long-term transportation authorization, this report helps to break down policies to help ensure that aging Americans can remain mobile, active and independent.

The current baby boomer generation is the largest retiring generation of all time. It consists of more than 77 million people that were born between 1946 and 1964. Baby boomers are a unique population because they came of age during the unprecedented economic expansion that followed World War II. This is a time period that helped fuel the rise of new suburban communities and increased residents' reliance on the motor vehicle. This was also during a time that the Federal Government initiated the largest project in U.S. history with the construction of the Interstate Highway system.

As the American life expectancy continue to increase, the largest U.S. generation will also be the oldest. With these numbers, a large share of these residents will find that their ability to navigate by vehicle diminishes or disappears over time.

Continue reading "Aging Adults in Metro Area at Increased Risk for Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago" »

An Illinois pedestrian injury attorney at Abels & Annes has reached a $95,000 settlement on behalf of one of our clients.

The claim arises out of a truck vs. pedestrian collision which took place in Chicago on June 18, 2009 at approximately 6:54 a.m. There was plenty of light, the road was straight and flat and visibility was good.

The defendant was driving his truck northbound on Monticello approaching Leland in Chicago, Illinois. This is a quiet residential neighborhood. The trucker had a stop sign for northbound Monticello at Leland and stopped. The was walking eastbound across Monticello in the marked pedestrian crosswalk. He had crossed almost the entire street and had crossed in front of most of the defendant's truck when he suddenly accelerated and struck the pedestrian. The front end of the truck, on the passenger side, struck our client on his right side. The plaintiff was fully within the marked crosswalk when he was struck.

The force of the impact threw the pedestrian to the pavement. He had an immediate onset of back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. The truck driver was issued traffic tickets 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. The at fault driver later pleaded guilty to his tickets in traffic court.

The trucker failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to remain stopped until it was safe to proceed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiff.

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.

At the ER the plaintiff complained of back, neck and shoulder pain. A history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic testing was performed. X-rays showed some loss of disc height in the lumbar spine and straightening of the lordotic curve of the cervical spine. He was initially diagnosed with lumbar and cervical strain. He was instructed to stay off work for a couple of days, prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain medication and instructed to seek follow up care after discharge.

Over the next couple days the plaintiff's condition worsened and his back pain started radiating into his right leg. Due to his increasing pain and discomfort he saw follow-up treatment with an orthopedic physician on June 22, 2009. The doctor prescribed pain medication and recommended therapy.

Our client started therapy in June, 2009. Initially his main complaints were of low back pain radiating into his entire right leg and neck pain. The pain was exacerbated with movement. His pain was especially bad with sitting and activities such as putting his shoes and socks on. A course of therapy was prescribed to address his injuries. He continued to treat with the therapist over the next several months. Despite this ongoing treatment he did not experience any significant relief of his injuries.

Continue reading "Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer settles case at mediation" »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to read the story on Fox News.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to read more about Illinois uninsured motorist claims.

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

New cars may soon come with a new safety rating. This one won't judge how safe the car is going to keep the motorist in an accident, but how well it can prevent pedestrian accidents. A new report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claims that automakers are working on a new technology that can detect the presence of pedestrians while the car is in motion and can react, even if the driver doesn't, to prevent pedestrian accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in the nation.

The Institute estimates that nearly 1.2 million accidents, including almost 900 fatalities, could be prevented each year if vehicles were already equipped with the preventive technology. Until then, our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge motorists to use extra caution and do your part to prevent pedestrian accidents -- especially now that spring is in full swing.

Edmunds.com reports that automakers began responding to the alarming number of pedestrian fatalities years ago by focusing on exterior features. Small modifications that have been made on passenger vehicles with pedestrian safety in mind include embedded hood ornaments, recessed door handles and spring mounted exterior mirrors.

The Institute doesn't plan on stopping there. Engineers are examining the bumpers on passenger cars. Advocates would like U.S. bumpers to meet the standards of those in Europe and Asia. Those are designed with larger crush space and with different supports for the plastic bumper cover in order to reduce leg injury. Other, high-tech features are also in development: If your car had the ability to detect a pedestrian and react before you did, there would be less of a need for these cushioned bumpers anyway.

"Understanding [vehicle-pedestrian collisions] is very complex. Every time we do a study, we learn 10 other side things we never expected. Those things in turn raise even more questions, requiring more research," said Douglas Longhitano, a senior engineer at Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

Until passenger vehicles and pedestrians can safely occupy the same roadways without physical interaction, it is up to individuals to keep safety as a priority. By staying aware, and practicing safe driving habits, Illinois motorists could have saved some of the 900 lives lost in 2009 because of motor-vehicle accidents.

Continue reading "New Technology Aims to Decrease Risk of Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago, elsewhere" »

Illinois personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes have agreed to represent a Chicago pedestrian who was hit by a car in February, 2011. The accident happened at the intersection of Central Avenue and Belmont Street in Chicago. The plaintiff had a walk sign to cross Central when the driver of a' 99 Saturn turned right from Belmont onto Central and failed to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Chicago police officers responded to the scene of the accident. At that time, the driver admitted that when he made the turn the sun was directly in his eyes, so he never saw the pedestrian in the crosswalk. He was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Immediately after the collision the client started experiencing pain in his left knee, left ribs in the left side of his body. A Chicago Fire Department ambulance transported him to Resurrection Medical Center for emergency room treatment.

Over the next several days, the pedestrian's pain did not resolve and only got worse. He has since started treating with an orthopedic physician in Chicago.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Chicago automobile vs. pedestrian accident, contact an Illinois personal injury attorney at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation case evaluation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to a lawyer now.

An Illinois car versus pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of a man in northwest suburban Lake Zurich, according to Trib Local. The collision involved three vehicles and occurred at southbound US Route 12 and Honey Lake Road.

Police are reporting that a vehicle moving south on Route 12 around 3 PM drove off the roadway and struck a second vehicle and a person standing outside that vehicle. The second vehicle was knocked into a third unoccupied vehicle. The pedestrian standing outside the vehicle was about to get in the car at the time of the collision, and was tragically killed in the accident.

A Lake Zurich Fire Department ambulance transported the driver of the first vehicle to Good Shepherd Hospital due to injuries sustained in the collision. Reportedly that driver will be asked to give a blood sample to determine if drugs or alcohol played a role in the deadly accident. 2 other people involved in the accident were also taken to Good Shepherd Hospital.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department's major crash assistance team will help the Lake Zurich Police Department in their investigation.

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

As Chicago auto accident lawyers from Abels & Annes reported to yesterday, an Illinois hit-and-run pedestrian accident has caused the death of a man in his 30s on the Stevenson Expressway on Thursday evening. It is now being reported by the Chicago Tribune that the at fault driver has been caught by police and charged with DUI.

The defendant, a 40-year-old Chicago resident from the 5400 block of S. Ellis Ave., was allegedly headed northbound on the interstate near Damen Avenue around 10:10 PM when he drove onto the right shoulder and hit a pedestrian who was standing by his disabled vehicle. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:34 PM.

The driver fled the scene after the collision, but occurrence witnesses described his vehicle to Illinois state troopers and he was arrested a short time later near his home. Blood-alcohol testing after arrest showed the driver had a BAC of .161, just over twice the Illinois legal limit. The defendant reportedly admitted consuming alcohol prior to the incident.

Judge Peggy Chiampas has set bail for the defendant at $1 million. It is also being reported that the driver has been convicted of DUI three prior occasions, and had just completed probation in August from an Aggravated DUI. It is likely that the criminal charges in this matter will be upgraded to felonies by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office due to the fatality and the defendant's driving history.

It has not been reported if an Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer is involved in the case yet.

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

A Chicago woman has been arrested due to her alleged involvement in an Illinois pedestrian accident that seriously injured two women crossing the street at State and Monroe in the Loop back on February 8, 2011, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. As Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys from our office previously reported, the victims were hit by a southbound SUV as they were crossing the intersection with a walk sign.

The vehicle was described as a Mitsubishi Montero which reportedly ran a red light and was speeding. After the crash the SUV fled the scene.

The Chicago Tribune reported after the accident that one victim, a 53-year-old woman, sustained a pelvic fracture and a large laceration on her leg, and that the other pedestrian, age 70, incurred broken ribs and a fractured collarbone.

The defendant, a 40-year-old south side woman, has been charged with leaving the scene and other offenses. She was stopped by police for an unrelated crime and was identified as a suspect in the hit and run pedestrian accident.

It has not been reported if an Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer is involved in the case at this time.

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" »

Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a woman that was hit by a taxicab on February 12, 2011 in front of 3209 N. Halsted Street. The cab driver never stopped to help her and fled the scene of the accident.

The pedestrian victim, a woman from the North Side, had just been dropped off by another taxicab at the time. As her taxi pulled away, she was immediately struck by another cab passing by that was white in color. While there were several witnesses to the accident, no one was able to take down the cab number or license plate.

Our client remembers nothing immediately after the accident, was knocked unconscious and woke up over three hours later at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She sustained head, neck and back injuries in the accident. She is also experiencing severe headaches, facial bruising and left leg swelling. She was kept in the hospital for two days after the incident.

Our client is hoping that any witnesses to the Chicago hit-and-run accident would contact either the Chicago Police Department or her Illinois personal injury lawyers at 312-924-7575.

An Illinois truck versus pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of a 44-year-old man in the Bridgeport neighborhood, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The accident happened just before 3 PM on Wednesday in the 2800 block of S. Archer Ave.

The pedestrian was hit by a Chicago Department of Transportation truck. The city employee remained at the scene until police arrived. The Chicago Police Department issued the driver tickets for operating a vehicle in reverse and for striking a pedestrian. The name of the truck driver has not been released. It was also not reported whether the truck involved was out clearing snow after this week's blizzard.

The pedestrian victim died at the scene of the accident, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. An autopsy is scheduled for today. The name of the victim has not been released.

The Chicago Police Department's major accident investigation unit is handling the investigation.

It has not been reported when the city driver is scheduled to appear in traffic court or if a Chicago pedestrian accident attorney is involved in the case yet.

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" »

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.

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" »

A deadly Illinois pedestrian accident has left one person dead and police searching for the driver that fled the scene, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The accident occurred Saturday morning in Gage Park, according to police.

Chicago Police were called to the 5200 block of S. Western Ave. just after 3:30 AM. There they found the pedestrian victim, a 21-year-old resident of the 6300 block of S. Kostner Avenue, lying on the ground. Police believe he been struck by a car behind the collision threw him into the air, landing on a parked car and then coming to rest on the ground.

The victim was rushed to Cook County Hospital and was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Chicago police are looking for a green vehicle with possible headlight damage. The vehicle may also have damage on the front and right side, according to a police spokesperson.

The Chicago Police Department's major accidents investigation unit is handling the investigation. Anyone with information should immediately contact the team at 312-745-4521.

In a case like this, our condolences go out to the victim and his family. As far as a civil case is concerned, the chances of catching the driver and that driver having valid insurance is very remote. Typically, once a Chicago personal injury lawyer gets involved in the case, they will explore the option of setting up a hit and run / uninsured motorist claim against the pedestrian victim's own auto insurance policy. Click here to read more about Chicago hit-and-run claims and Illinois uninsured motorist cases.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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" »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 area pedestrian vs. car accident has claimed the life of the 58-year-old Joliet woman. She was struck and killed while out on her morning walk early Thursday morning, according to Tribune Local in Joliet. The collision occurred around 6:45 AM as the pedestrian was crossing N. Larkin Ave. in the area of Mayfield Avenue on the west side of Joliet.

At that time a 23-year-old male driver in a pickup truck collided with her, according to a spokesperson from the Joliet Police Department. The driver was not cited after the accident, however the case is still under investigation. It is being reported that neither drugs, alcohol and/or speeding played a role in the accident.

The motorist was northbound on Larkin at the time of the collision. The victim was rushed by ambulance to Provina Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet where she was pronounced dead within hours of the accident.

The Joliet Police Department is handling the crash investigation. It was not reported whether the victim was crossing at an intersection or mid-block. The driver of the pickup truck is a resident of Camby, Indiana (near Indianapolis).

There is no word as to whether an Illinois pedestrian accident lawyer has been retained by the victim's family to look into a possible civil claim against the driver of the pickup truck.

The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in tracking down a hit-and-run driver who was involved in an Illinois pedestrian accident on Monday evening around 10:15 PM. The incident occurred when a driver cut through a gas station on the southwest side to avoid a traffic light, according to WGN news. As the driver was cutting through he hit a pedestrian and then fled the scene.

The accident occurred in the 6200 block of S. California Ave., which is considered part of the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. The victim was about to enter his minivan on the driver side when he was struck by a red SUV heading northbound. The hit and run vehicle also had a roof rack.

Anyone with information regarding the accident and/or the identity of the at fault driver is being asked to contact the Chicago Police Department immediately at 312-745-4521.

The exact nature and extent of the pedestrian victim's injuries has not been reported.

Unfortunately, in most cases hit-and-run drivers are never located. As far as a civil claim is concerned, once a Chicago injury lawyer gets involved in the case, the attorney will look to set up a hit-and-run / underinsured motorist claim against the pedestrian's own auto insurance policy.

Click here to read more about Chicago hit-and-run accidents and Illinois uninsured motorist claims.

We encourage parents to take the Safe Routes to School survey offered by the Chicago Department of Transportation as safety advocates attempt to reduce the risk of Chicago bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and school bus accidents.

Our Chicago child injury lawyers frequently talk about the dangers children face -- traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for kids ages 3 to 14, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

State traffic statistics show that more than 5,500 kids under the age of 14 were injured in traffic accidents last year. Illinois pedestrian accidents injured nearly 1,000 students, while bicycle accidents injured nearly 700.

Many students choose to walk or bike to school. In other cases, they walk or ride a bicycle to a bus stop. Tragically, many Chicago school bus accidents occur to bicyclists or pedestrians who are preparing to load or unload from a school bus. Last year, a total of 1,537 Illinois school bus accidents were reported. Two people were killed and 482 were injured, including 78 bus drivers and 164 bus passengers.

As winter weather approaches, now is a good time to remind your child about the importance of bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as school bus safety.

Here you can find more information on Illinois' Safe Routes to School program.

The Chicago Safe Routes to School Survey is available here.

Continue reading "Safe Routes to School survey aims to reduce Chicago pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, school bus accidents" »

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" »

Illinois schools have scheduled 184 Walk-to-School events during the month of October as part of an education and awareness campaign that hopes to teach elementary and middle-school age children across the state, nation and globe about the benefits of walking or riding their bike to school, Walk To School reports.

Events kicked off on Oct. 6, when students across the state participated in International Walk to School day, marking the 14th year students from Chicago and beyond have taken to the streets to hoof it to school.

Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers support the goals of the campaign which encourage children – including the disabled – to engage in some physical activity by walking or biking to school. Additionally, partnerships between participating parents, teacher and students provide a safe environment for students to sharpen their traffic safety skills. From an environmentalist perspective, there is a final lesson: walking to school also reduces both fuel consumption and air pollution.

Since 2005, the Illinois Department of Transportation Safe Route to School program has awarded more than $23.5 million to districts around the state. In 2009 alone, $13.1 million was distributed to fund 171 projects ranging from sidewalk repairs to purchasing equipment for law enforcement and crossing guards.

Getting a kid interested in walking or biking to school is one thing. Keeping them safe is another. To prevent pedestrian or bicycling accidents, the Children’s Medical Center provides the following safety tips:

Avoiding a Chicago Pedestrian Accident:

~ Until a child is age 10 or older, they should always be accompanied by an adult when walking anywhere. Holding hands is the safest way to cross streets or parking lots when walking anywhere with a younger child.

~ Always use crosswalks and sidewalks when they are available. Never enter a roadway without first stopping and looking left and right TWICE. Never step onto the road if you see a car coming your way.

~ If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. Put as much space between yourself and traffic as possible.

~ If you have to have to walk in darkness, wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight. Even in daylight, bright clothing can help make you more visible to drivers.

Avoiding a Chicago Bicycle Accident:

~ Always wear a helmet and make sure both the helmet and the bike fit the rider.

~ Obey all traffic laws and ride with traffic, not against it. Put as much space between yourself and traffic as possible.

~ Avoid ride a bicycle when it is dark, foggy or in other low-visibility conditions.

Continue reading "Annual Walk to School campaign aims to reduce risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents" »

Noticias NBC en Chicago informa de que un accidente de carretera y gestión en el noroeste de Indiana ha conducido la muerte de un pedestre. Los policías hicieron un descubrimiento horrible cuando pararon un camión por exceso de velocidad sólo para encontrar partes de cuerpo colgando del vehículo.

El oficial se acercó a la camioneta Chevy S10 después de pararlo el sábado por la noche. En aquel momento el oficial notó restos parciales de una persona sobre la puerta trasera. El vio piernas y pantalones azules.

El conductor del camión, un residente de Hobart Indiana, le dijo a la policía que se habia tomado una caja de cerveza esa noche y entonces había golpeado al peatón. La víctima fue un hombre de 52 años de edad, del noroeste de Indiana.

Policías investigadores indicaron que había humo saliendo de la camióneta, el parabrisas se había roto, y el conductor de DUI tenía vidrio quebrado en partes de su cuerpo. La policía encontro otra caja de cerveza dentro del camión.

El nivel de sangre-alcohol del acusado de 26 años de edad fue 0.12 por ciento. El ahora se enfrentará a cargos por delito DUI, conducir intoxicadó, causar una muerte, y el crimen grave de huyir la escena de un accidente que resulto en la muerte.

No se ha informado si un abogado de accidente de pedestre en el área de Chicago esta involucrado en este caso brutal.

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" »

As our Chicago injury lawyers continue to publish traffic data from the 2009 report by the Illinois Department of Transportation, we look at the issue of serious and fatal pedestrian and bicycle accidents.

While the tendency with such statistics is to focus on the number of people who were killed, state statistics show that more than 50 pedestrians were injured for every pedestrian fatality last year -- A total of 5,233 pedestrians were injured and 113 were killed in traffic accidents.

Many of those were the result of Chicago pedestrian accidents with urban accidents accounting for the vast majority, 4,984, of all serious and fatal pedestrian crashes.

Those killed and injured in Illinois pedestrian accidents by age:


Under 10: 3 killed/467 injured
Age10-19:6 killed/1,072 injured
Age 20-24: 5 killed/513 injured
Age 25-34: 16 killed/764 injured
Age 35-44: 16 killed/657 injured
Age 45-54: 26 killed/655 injured
Age 55-64: 16 killed/488 injured
Ages 65 or older: 23 killed/427 injured

Likewise, Chicago bicycle accidents were responsible for many of the state's serious and fatal cycling accidents, almost all of which occurred in urban areas. More than 150 riders were injured for every rider killed in a crash -- Illinois bicycle accidents killed 20 riders and injured 3,100 in 2009. Fewer than 150 accidents occurred outside urban areas.

Those killed and injured in Illinois bicycle accidents by age:

Under 10: 1 killed/202 injured
Age10-19: 4 killed/911 injured
Age 20-24: 1 killed/395 injured
Age 25-34: 14 killed/532 injured
Age 35-44: 4 killed/346 injured
Age 45-54: 3 killed/382 injured
Age 55-64: 1 killed/182 injured
Ages 65 or older: 2 killed/80 injured

Unlike pedestrian accidents, however, the vast majority of cycling accidents involved men. In particular, middle-aged men ages 25-34 were most at risk after teenage boys, who reported the most accidents.

Continue reading "Chicago pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents injured thousands in 2009" »

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" »

Un abogado de herida en Illinois de Abels & Annes ha alcanzado un arreglo para un peatón de Chicago que fue golpeado y fue herido por un autobús de CTA. El autobús de Illinois contra el accidente pedestre sucedió el 25 de febrero de 2010 en la intersección de State Street y Lake Street en el Loop.

Nuestro cliente estaba cruzando la calle en un cruce peatonal en el momento del accidente. El acusado, un conductor de autobús de CTA, se movía en dirección norte por la calle State y entonces giró a la derecha en dirección este en la calle Lake. El conductor del autobús hizo la vuelta y falló de observar que nuestro cliente estaba en el cruce peatonal y golpeó al peatón.

El Departamento de Policía de Chicago investigó el accidente. El conductor de CTA fue multado por el fracaso por no ceder el paso a un peatón en un cruce peatonal. Luego se declare culpable en la corte de trafico y fue puesta en la supervisión del tribunal.

Inmediatamente después del accidente el demandante empezó a tener dolor en la pierna izquierda. A la mañana siguiente ella fue a la sala de emergencia de Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Radiografías fueron tomadas, Ella fue diagnosticada con una fractura del peroné izquierdo. La fractura fue confirmada luego con una resonancia magnética en marzo de 2010 que fue ordenado por un médico en Northwestern Centro de la Ortopedia.

En el momento de la última cita de nuestro cliente el 28 de marzo de 2010, su dolor y el malestar han mejorado mucho y su fractura fue platuda.

El reclamo se resolvio sin tener que presentar una demanda , Le ahorramos a nuestro cliente el gasto de litigos.

Si usted ha sido herido en un accidente pedestre o accidente de autobús, contacte a los abogados de heridas en Chicago de Abels & Annes para una evaluación de su caso gratís. Contáctenos en línea o al 312-924-7575 para hablar con un abogado ahora.

An Illinois injury attorney at Abels & Annes has reached a settlement for a Chicago pedestrian that was struck and injured by a CTA bus. The Illinois bus versus pedestrian accident happened back on February 25, 2010 at the intersection of State Street and Lake Street in the Loop.

Our client was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk at the time of the accident. The defendant, a CTA bus driver, was moving northbound on State Street and then took a right turn to headed eastbound on Lake. As the bus driver made the turn she failed to observe our client in the crosswalk and struck the pedestrian.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the accident. The CTA driver was ticketed for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. She later pled guilty in traffic court was placed on court supervision.

Immediately after the accident the plaintiff started experiencing left leg pain. The next morning she went to the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. X-rays were taken she was diagnosed with a fracture of her left fibula. The fracture was later confirmed with an MRI scan in March of 2010 that was ordered by a physician at Northwestern Center for Orthopedics.

At the time of our client's last appointment on March 28, 2010, her pain and discomfort has greatly improved and her fracture was well-heeled.

The claim settled without filing a lawsuit, saving our client the expense of litigation.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident or bus crash, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Contact us online or call 312-924-7575 to speak to a lawyer now.

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.

Authorities are out in force on a high-profile campaign to ticket drivers for violating a new state law aimed at reducing the number of Chicago pedestrian accidents and serious and fatal crosswalk accidents elsewhere in the state.

The new law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in all crosswalks, even those which do not have a stop sign or traffic signal, or face a fine of $50 to $500, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

Our Chicago accident attorneys frequently report on the dangers of pedestrian accidents. As we reported in July on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, more than 800 crashes a day occur in Chicago and authorities have made reducing pedestrian accidents a goal at both the state and national level. A total of 3,484 Chicago pedestrian accidents were reported in 2008, killing 52 and injuring 3,225, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Illinois pedestrian accidents resulted in 135 fatalities in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In releasing accident statistics for 2009, the NHTSA made reducing pedestrian accidents a priority, along with a reduction in drunk driving accidents and motorcycle accidents.

Thousands of "Yield" signs at intersections throughout the Chicago area are being replaced with signs alerting the public to the rule charge. In August, 127 tickets were written as the city resumed its sting operations at crosswalks with a history of serious or fatal accidents.

Illinois' law took effect this summer and is aimed at the thousands of motorists who routinely ignore pedestrians in crosswalks. Authorities say the problem is particularly acute in downtown Chicago, where authorities have spent several years conducting undercover operations that station plain-clothes police officers in crosswalks to catch motorists violating the law.

A number of pedestrians interviewed said cab drivers are among the most egregious violators. And the city has received more than $10 million in grants but done little or nothing to relieve the heavy traffic and congestion on the south side of Jackson Boulevard south of Union Station. A CDOT spokesman said improvements have no timetable but could begin in the next few years.

Continue reading "New crosswalk law aims to reduce serious and fatal Chicago pedestrian accidents" »

A Chicago area pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of a construction worker in southwest suburban Forest View, Illinois, according to CBS News. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon when a semi-truck exiting the Stevenson Expressway (Interstate 55) made an illegal right turn and struck the worker on the Harlem Avenue off-ramp.

The construction worker was employed by Midwest Fencing, who was working a project for IDOT. The victim was making repairs to a barrier fence at the time of the accident, according to IDOT spokesman Guy Tridgell.

Because of the construction, there were reportedly no right turn signs for trucks at the bottom of the off-ramp, but for reasons unknown, the trucker still made the right turn.

The semi was southbound on I 55 and turning north on to Harlem. The worker that was killed, Aurelio Rosales, was a Chicago resident. He was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The Illinois truck vs. pedestrian accident is being investigated by the Forest View Police Department with the help of an Illinois State Police reconstruction officer.

It has not been reported if the truck driver was being issued any traffic tickets, or if a Chicago pedestrian accident attorney is involved in the case. However, NBC News is reporting that citations against the driver are pending.

In a case like this, the family of the victim could have two separate claims to pursue. First, the worker was killed while on the job, so there is an Illinois workers' compensation claim. Second and more significantly, there is negligence claim to investigate against the truck driver and trucking company.

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.

A Chicago bicycle accident claimed the life of a rider on the Dan Ryan Expressway Sunday night, according to CBS 2.

The Chicago Breaking News Center reports the accident happened in the northbound lanes near 55th Street. The 28-year-old rider was struck and killed by a Sports Utility Vehicle, according to Illinois State Police.

The accident happened shortly after 9 p.m. and police were trying to determine why the rider was on the freeway.

Also on Sunday, a Chicago pedestrian accident claimed the life of a man in his late teens or early 20s. The man was apparently pinned between two SUVs in the Logan Square neighborhood shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday. The Breaking News Center reported that the accident happened in the 2400 block of North Ridgeway Avenue.

The victim was apparently struck by a black Oldsmobile SUV, which then pinned him against a GMC Yukon.

It has not been reported if a Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer or a bicycle attorney are involved in either case yet.

While the number of fatal accidents has been in decline in Chicago and throughout the state, pedestrian and bicycle accidents remain a significant threat in Chicago. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 3,484 pedestrian accidents were reported in 2008, injuring more than 3,200 and claiming 52 lives.

A total of 1,726 bicycle accidents were reported in Chicago, killing 5 riders and injuring nearly 1,500.

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 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.

The idea of creating pedestrian plazas is back in vogue as a way to create appealing greenspace and reduce the risk of serious and fatal Chicago pedestrian accidents.

Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog reported recently that one-third of the city's fatal accidents in 2008 -- 52 of 156 -- involved pedestrians being struck by a vehicle in Chicago. And city planners recently cited reducing serious and fatal pedestrian accidents as among the most pressing goals for traffic safety within the city.

A recent piece in the Chicago Tribune questioned why street closures for events like Taste of Chicago don't occur more often. It cites New York City's bold decision to permanently close several blocks of Broadway to create permanent plazas in Times and Herald Squares.

A recent request for opinions about possible closures in downtown Chicago brought forth a number of proposals: Monroe between Michigan Avenue and Columbus, Rush Street, Taylor Street between Racine and Ashland and East 53rd Street east of Blackstone.

While permanently closing sections of downtown streets would require unprecedented cooperation among traffic planners, city leaders, business owners and residents, the idea has its early supporters.

The Chicagoist quickly jumped on the bandwagon. As Street Fest season enters full season, pedestrians are already bemoaning the season's end. "Who doesn't love the respite from traffic parking and noise when the fest is in your hood," The Chicagoist wrote. "Why not make those happy feelings permanent in places throughout the city."

One thing seems certain: With one-third of the city's traffic fatalities resulting from pedestrian accidents, such dynamic proposals are at least worthy of consideration.

Continue reading "Plazas could reduce risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents" »

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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" »

Police continue to search this week for the hit-and-run driver responsible for a Chicago pedestrian accident after the victim died of his injuries on Friday, the Sun-Times reported.

The accident happened March 27 in the Altgeld Gardens area on the Far South Side. Witnesses told police a light-colored car struck a pedestrian at 7:49 p.m. at 12940 S. Indiana Avenue.

A witness said he was driving south on South Indiana Avenue when he saw the light-colored car hit a pedestrian and flee east on East 130th Street, according to police. The witness stopped to check on the victim and called 911.

The victim was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in extremely critical condition and suffered very serious head injuries in the crash. The 39-year-old Riverdale man died late Friday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police are looked for a light-colored vehicle, possibly gold, possibly a Chrysler 300. Anyone with information is asked to call the police Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.

As reported last week on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, warm spring weather brings with it an increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents. Motorists are urged to use extra caution and to yield to pedestrians.

Studies of Illinois traffic fatalities have concluded that more than half of all fatal pedestrian accidents in the state occur in Cook County.

In 2008, a total of 135 pedestrians were killed in Illinois traffic accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Spring is here, and with it comes an increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents.

In 2008, a total of 135 pedestrians were killed in fatal Illinois pedestrian accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Chicago pedestrian accidents are responsible for the majority of pedestrian deaths each year in Illinois.

A comprehensive study of Illinois traffic fatalities conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago between 1990-2000, found that more than half of all pedestrian deaths (1,357 of 2,286), occurred in Cook County.

Statewide, pedestrian deaths declined from 272 in 1990 to 187 in 2000. In Cook County, annual pedestrian deaths declined from 160 to 101 during the 11-year study period.

As we reported last year on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, Chicago police have stepped up enforcement by positing undercover police officers in crosswalks to ticket violators and promote pedestrian safety.

CyberDrive Illinois provides guidelines for drivers to avoid pedestrian accidents. A driver must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians:

-When a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
-When turning at an intersection
-After stopping at an intersection
-When making a turn at a red light
-Whenever a pedestrian is entering or exiting a street from a building, alley, driveway or private road
-When people are walking, standing or working in a safety or construction zone
-When a pedestrian has stepped into a crosswalk and the light has yet to change
-When a pedestrian is walking in a crosswalk and the walk signal is flashing

Continue reading "Spring brings increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents" »

A Chicago semi accident claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy and critically injured his father in a Friday afternoon accident on the South Side, WBBM News reported.

The semi was southbound on South Ashland Avenue when it struck the victims as they attempted to cross the street between West 18th and West 19th streets shortly after 3 p.m. The Chicago Tribune reported the semi was traveling cab-only, and was not towing a trailer at the time of the accident.

Father and son were both transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

The child was pronounced dead at 3:38 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. The 45-year-old man remained hospitalized in critical condition over the weekend.

The 67-year-old truck driver, of Fortville, Indiana, was ticketed for striking a pedestrian in the roadway, according to police. No additional charges are expected.

Police say the victims were hit as they attempted to cross the street at an intersection that lacks signs, stoplights or other traffic control devices. The street was closed for several hours while police investigated.

The boy was a student at Cooper Elementary School, which is just a block east of the intersection and lets out at 3 p.m. A retired police officer who witnesses the accident questioned why no crossing guards were posted at the intersection, which he said gets busy after school.

There were 14,632 Illinois semi accidents in 2008, which killed 115 people and injured 2,940, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Eight pedestrians were killed and 30 more were injured in Illinois accidents involving semis.

The widow of a pedestrian killed in a Chicago bus accident has filed a civil lawsuit against the driver and bus company, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

The 63-year-old South Holland man was killed Feb. 23 when a Megabus struck him in a crosswalk on the Near West Side.

The victim's wife filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court last week against the discount interstate bus company and the driver, claiming negligence led to the Chicago pedestrian death.

Police reported the bus was traveling west on Adams Street and was turning south onto Desplaines Street when it struck the victim in the crosswalk. The lawsuit contends that the driver's failure to yield the right of way, along with five other violations, led to the victim being struck and killed.

He was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, shortly after the 5 p.m. accident, according to the Sun-Times.

The 45-year-old Sauk Village bus driver was charged with reckless driving and not giving the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

The wrongful death lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the victim's widow and the couple's two sons.

In 2008, a total of 135 pedestrians were killed and 5,423 were injured in Illinois pedestrian accidents, the vast majority of which occurred in the Chicago area, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Three-quarters of all fatal car accidents occur in urban areas or withing 5 miles of an urban area, according to new research released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As reported earlier this month on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, Chicago is the third-most congested urban area in the country after Los Angeles and New York, leading to an increased risk of serious or fatal Chicago car accidents.

In Illinois, the numbers are even more striking -- 94 percent -- or 19 of every 20 fatal accidents -- occur within 10 miles of an urban area.

-95 percent of speed-related traffic fatalities in Illinois occur in and around urban areas.
-95 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents in Illinois occur in and around urban areas.
-99 percent of fatal Illinois pedestrian accidents occur in and around urban areas.
-96 percent of fatal Illinois trucking accidents occur in and around urban areas.
-94 percent of fatal Illinois drunk driving accidents occur in and around urban areas.

Nationwide, the numbers trend lower than they do in Illinois but are still striking:

-More than half (53 percent) of fatal motorcycle crashes occur in urban areas -- 9 in 10 fatal motorcycle crashes occur within 10 miles of an urban area.

-74 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas -- while 95 percent occur within 10 miles of an urban area.

-About one-third of fatal trucking accidents occur in urban areas -- 83 percent occur within 10 miles of an urban area.

-Two-third of all interstate highway fatalities occur within 2.5 miles of an urban area.

-85 percent of all speed-related fatal traffic crashes occur within 10 miles of an urban area.

-86 percent of all fatal drunk driving accidents occur within 10 miles of an urban area.

Continue reading "Illinois traffic fatalities center around Chicago accidents" »

A woman and a 1-year-old girl were killed in a Chicago train accident on Saturday when a Metra train struck them as they crossed the tracks with family in suburban North Chicago, the Sun-Times reported.

The Metra Union Pacific North Line train No. 806 struck the woman carrying a baby just after 8 a.m. near the North Chicago station on Lakeside Drive, FOX News reported. The Lake County Coroner pronounced the women dead at the scene.

The infant was taken to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, where she was pronounced dead about 11:30 a.m.

The Daily Herald reported that the infant was the woman's niece.

The woman was crossing the tracks with the infant's father and another child, both of whom made it across the tracks before the train came.

The train had departed the Waukegan station at 8:50 a.m. and was due at the Great Lakes station shortly before 9 a.m. The train does not stop at the North Chicago station.

None of the passengers on the train were injured. They were transferred to another inbound train headed for Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the engineer waited until emergency crews arrived before exiting the cab, then met with authorities and the two conductors without speaking to anyone on the train.

The train remained parked for several hours as investigators combed the scene and took photographs.

A 15-year-old Bowen High School freshman is dead following a weekend Chicago pedestrian accident after being struck by as many as three vehicles, including a drunk driver, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Chicago police said the teenager was struck by a drunk driver while walking home, thrown into the path of a second vehicle and hit again. Police are investigating reports that a third vehicle may also have been involved.

The girl had just stepped onto East 87th Street near King Drive when she was run down at about 11:15 p.m. Saturday. She died Monday morning at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn.

Her death was ruled an accident by the Cook County medical examiner's office, which reported that she died of multiple injuries sustained in the accident.

The first driver was charged with DUI and ticketed for striking a pedestrian as well as a plate registration violation. The second driver has not been cited and the accident remains under investigation.

The victim was a popular student who had earned a place on her school's honor role. She worked on the school's yearbook and took part in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, according to a school spokesperson. Family said she was an aspiring beautician who had just recently landed a job at a beauty salon.

A total of 156 people were killed in fatal Illinois pedestrian accidents in 2008, the vast majority in and around the Chicago metro area, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

As reported earlier this week on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, one-third of traffic fatalities in Cook County are blamed on Chicago drunk driving accidents.

A 48-year-old man is accused of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he struck and killed a 6-year-old girl in a Chicago car accident.

The man had cocaine in his system and admitted to smoking marijuana and buying beer before the crash, which also injured the girl's 21-year-old aunt, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The defendant was held on $500,000 bail after a hearing in Cook County Criminal Court. He is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence. His defense attorney denies his client was under the influence during the accident, which occurred a week ago Tuesday evening as the victim and her aunt were crossing Ashland Avenue near 74th Street.

The State Attorneys office reports that the defendant failed field sobriety tests at the scene and subsequent tests revealed he had cocaine in his system. They also say the man admitted to smoking marijuana and had bought a 40 ounce bottle of beer that was found in the van.

Police report the South Damen Avenue man has more than 40 traffic tickets on his record. The victim and her aunt had gone to a nearby dollar store to buy candy when the girl was killed in the Chicago pedestrian accident.

The defendant was driving a Dodge Caravan at high speed, southbound on Ashland Avenue, when he struck the two victims waiting in the median to cross to the other side, according to authorities. The girl hit the van's windshield and was thrown into the street. Her aunt was thrown across the northbound lanes of traffic and landed near a curb.

The aunt remained in the hospital nearly a week after the accident, after undergoing surgery for a fractured skull, broken leg and fractured shoulder blade.

The defendant's attorney claims the drug tests could have been a false positive due to medication the man is on following a work accident. The defense also tried to blame the victims for the accident by saying the defendant tried to stop and help "the people who were running across the street, through traffic, and across the median where they shouldn't have been," the attorney told the Chicago Sun-Times.

A motorist was killed and another seriously injured over the weekend in a Chicago car accident after both were struck while standing outside a disabled vehicle early Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The accident occurred at about 2:40 a.m. on Illinois Route 394 and East Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights. The 39-year-old man was struck by an automobile after his car broke down, according to Illinois State Police.

It is the second time in a week that a motorist was killed while stopped with a disabled vehicle. As Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer reported, a 36-year-old woman was struck and killed by a semi after pulling over to check for a flat tire.

In this case, a friend had arrived to help the man and both were standing outside of his disabled Pontiac when they were struck by a passing sports-utility vehicle. The victim was killed and his friend was transported in critical condition to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.

The Sun-Times reported that the driver of the SUV was taken into custody and was being questioned; he initially left the scene but later called 911 to report the accident.

In 2008, more than 5,000 people were injured and 137 people were killed in Illinois pedestrian accidents, according to the Department of Transportation.

As reported last fall on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, police have launched a program stationing undercover police officers in crosswalks and other high-traffic areas in an effort to reduce Chicago pedestrian accidents.

A 36-year-old woman was struck and killed by a semi early last Tuesday morning, after stopping her vehicle on the Tri-State Tollway to check for a flat tire, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

The Chicago trucking accident occurred shortly after midnight. The victim was southbound on I-294 when she pulled over at Rexford Road in Alsip to check for a flat tire on the passenger side of her vehicle, according to the Illinois State Police.

Moments later, a semi struck her and side-swiped the driver's side of her vehicle, police reported. The Frankfurt woman was identified by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Police reported that drugs or alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation. The semi driver was being questioned on Tuesday but was not under arrest.

In 2008, a total of 135 pedestrians were killed in Illinois traffic accidents and more than 5,400 were injured --accounting for about 15 percent of all Illinois traffic fatalities.

A total of 14,632 Illinois trucking accidents were reported in 2008. More than 12,000 occurred in large urban areas, primarily Chicago. Illinois accidents involving semi tractor-trailers killed 115 and injured 2,940. Eight of the deaths and 30 of the injuries involved Illinois pedestrians, according to IDOT.

As reported earlier this month on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, Scott's Law mandates that motorists move over for stopped law enforcement or safety vehicles.

Moving into an outside lane whenever possible is also a good way to help ensure the safety of motorists in or around stranded or disabled vehicles at the side of the road.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 23-year-old former West Rogers Park man in connection with a Halloween hit-and-run Chicago car accident that claimed the life of a 25-year-old DePaul University student.

The suspect, who doesn't have a driver's license, may have fled to Mexico, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

As reported last fall on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, the woman was struck at Cullom and Lincoln avenues, as she walked home about 3 a.m. on Nov. 1 after a long night of work bartending at Bowmans Bar & Grill.

Family of the victim said the arrest was a relief. Police said at a press conference that the defendant quit his job at a North Side food store after telling his boss he was leaving for Mexico to care for a sick mother.

Police served a search warrant on the defendant's home in December, following a tip about the suspect's possible identity from someone watching the news.

Authorities reported finding a silver vehicle with front-end damage and physical evidence linking the defendant to the scene.

The defendant, who obtained a driver's permit in 2003, has a previous accident and a citation for driving without a license on his record, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office.

Illinois car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have reached an insurance policy limits settlement for a Chicago pedestrian that was hit by a car on the South Side in December, 2009. The accident took place at 1750 W. 119th Street where our client was crossing and was was hit by an 83 year old woman driving a 2006 Honda Accord.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the accident scene, along with an ambulance. After investigating the accident they ticketed the elderly driver with failing to yield to a pedestrian.

The plaintiff was rushed to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. There he was diagnosed with several fractures, included a broken left leg which required surgery to repair. He remained hospitalized for several days.

The defendant was insured by State Farm Insurance. The case was resolved without having to file a lawsuit.

With severe winter weather in the Chicago area, drivers are urged to keep a vigilant lookout for pedestrians crossing the street. With so much snow on the ground, it takes drivers longer to stop and pedestrians longer to get out of the way.

Continue reading "Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer reaches $100,000 insurance policy limits settlement" »

An 85-year-old man was killed Thursday night in a Chicago pedestrian accident after being struck by a van in the Albany Park neighborhood, according to The Sun-Times.

The 41-year-old driver was cited for driving without a license and striking a pedestrian in the roadway/failure to exercise due care, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported. He was driving a Chevrolet Astro van west on Lawrence Avenue when he struck the elderly man near the intersection of North Springfield and West Lawrence.

The victim was taken to Advocate Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The accident was not a hit-and-run and alcohol or drugs are not believed to be involved, according to police. However, unlicensed drivers are increasingly responsible for large numbers of serious and fatal accidents.

As reported earlier this month on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, 1 in 6 fatal accidents involve someone without a valid license, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Illinois, 202 motorists were killed in accidents involving unlicensed drivers, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Unlicensed drivers are also more likely to be involved in uninsured or underinsured car accidents.

In recent months, Chicago police have targeted motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians. Police are stationing undercover officers near crosswalks at high-risk intersections in an effort to reduce Chicago car accidents involving pedestrians.

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 Alsip man was pronounced dead Sunday morning following a fatal Chicago car accident in the Morgan Park neighborhood, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported.

The 54-year-old South Karlov Avenue man was pronounced dead at 1:22 a.m. at MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

Police reported the man hit a car near the intersection of 110th Place and Hoyne Avenue. The Chicago police major accident unit is investigating the crash.

A hit-and-run driver struck and killed a 55-year-old woman in a Chicago pedestrian accident Friday evening in the Austin neighborhood. The North Parkside Avenue woman was pronounced dead at 8:29 p.m. Friday at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the medical examiner's office.

The woman was killed in the Chicago hit-and-run accident while walking westbound and attempting to cross the street in the 1300 block of North Central Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. She was struck by a white Cadillac southbound on Central. The Cadillac, possibly as 1995, kept going. The woman died of her injuries after arriving at the hospital.

A Thursday night Chicago car accident in the South Side's Englewood neighborhood killed an 18-year-old teenager, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Two others were injured in the 9 p.m. crash between a car and a truck. The driver of the car was attempting a left turn when it collided with the truck in the intersection, according to police.

Police reported the driver of the car was ticketed for failure to yield to right of way. The driver and a second passenger were taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County.

A pair of Chicago train accidents claimed two lives and injured several others Thursday afternoon.

A woman remained hospitalized Friday morning after her husband was killed in a Chicago car accident involving a train. Their car was struck by a Metra train in Bensenville at a railroad crossing near York Road and Main Street at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The woman was taken to Elmhust Memorial Hospital in serious but stable condition.

The Daily Herald reported the accident happened as the train struck the vehicle in a railroad crossing while approaching the Bensenville station. The vehicle was pushed nearly a quarter of a mile west of the crossing before coming to rest.

A half hour earlier, a pedestrian was killed in a Chicago train accident when she was struck in Lake Forest by an Amtrak train bound for Seattle, the Breaking News Center reported.

The 49-year-old Grayslake woman was apparently at a pedestrian crossing when hit by the Empire Builder train. Another person also was reported injured in the Chicago pedestrian accident.

Both trains were delayed for several hours as a result of the accidents. The Bensenville police, Metra police and the DuPage County Coroner's Office are investigating, according to the Sun-Times.

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" »

A $10,000 reward is being offered for the driver responsible for a north side hit-and-run Chicago car accident on Nov. 1.

The parents of the young waitress who was killed at Lincoln and Cullom avenues announced the reward, according to WGN9News. She was walking home from her nearby bartending job when she was struck by a vehicle that did not stop, according to police.

Surveillance video from Bowman's Bar and Grill may have captured the vehicle seconds before the accident that killed Rachel Gilliam, WGN9News reported.

In addition to making an appeal for the driver to turn himself in, the victim's mom is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the driver responsible.

ABC7 reported that police are looking for a silver four-door car that struck the 25-year-old DePaul University graduate without stopping as she walked home from work at about 3:30 a.m. on Halloween Night.

The young woman's co-workers and friends at Bowman's have been active in raising reward money and have hired a private investigator in the hunt for the runaway driver.

Chicago car accident lawyers blog recently chronicled a rash of hit-and-run Chicago pedestrians accidents being looked into by police.

If you think you can help, contact the Chicago Police's Major Accidents Division, at 312-745-4521. Please reference case #HR-619777.

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" »

Doctors delivered a newborn boy after a pregnant woman was killed in a Chicago car accident on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old woman died when two vehicles collided and one of the vehicle careened into her and three other pedestrians on the city's West Side, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The West Cortez Street Woman was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. The newborn infant is listed in extremely critical condition, according to the hospital.

A hospital spokeswoman said doctors were able to save the unborn child and believe the pregnancy was six or seven months along.

"The baby suffered injuries (from the crash) in addition to being premature," a spokesperson told The Tribune. The child's condition was described as "extremely critical."

Doctors reported it would be sometime today before they knew whether the infant had a chance to survive.

The car accident happened on Wednesday around 12 pm when a Ford van eastbound on Washington and a Chrysler Town and Country minivan southbound on Kostner, collided, according to police.

The Chicago Sun-Times said four pedestrians were struck during the accident and the driver of the Chrysler van had been cited.

According to the Sun-Times, the 39-year-old van driver was cited for failure to stop at a red light, driving with a suspended or revoked license and no insurance. It was unknown whether he will face further charges in connection with the woman's death.

In this case, due to the fact that the at fault driver had no insurance, the family of the victims will be able to pursue an uninsured motorist claim against their own auto insurance policy.

Police continue to look for a vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run Chicago car accident.

The 36-year-old West Cullerton Street woman died Tuesday after being hit by a car on South Halsted Street, according to The Sun-Times. The car left the scene and the woman was struck again by a Chicago Transit Authority bus.

Authorities report the woman was struck by the car while crossing the street shortly after 5 p.m. The force of the impact propelled her into the path of a northbound CTA bus.

Police are looking for a purple or blue, four-door car with a chrome center grill. The car has damage to the hood near the driver's side headlight area.

Harrison-area detectives have joined the Major Accident Investigation Unit in the search.

Police hope a street surveillance camera will help identify the fleeing driver, according to ABC7.

Witnesses reported the driver of the car never stopped after striking her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Family members say the woman was married with two teenagers.

In a 2004 report conducted by AAA, 1,557 people were killed by hit-and-run drivers -- or more than four people a day. For every one killed, 72 more were injured.

Some of the most common reasons drivers flee the scene of an accident include drunk driving, driving without a license, self-preservation and road rage. Hit-and-run drivers face serious criminal charges for their actions in addition to any civil action to recover damages on behalf of the victims and their families.

In this type of case, most of the time the hit-and-run driver is never caught by police. If that happens here, the family of the victim will be able to pursue a hit-and-run claim against the victim's own auto insurance policy.

Anyone with information regarding the accident is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department immediately.

Chicago personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to represent a Northwest Side resident who sustained personal injuries after she was hit by a car while crossing a street in a crosswalk. The car vs. pedestrian accident happened on August 15, 2009 just before 5 p.m. at the intersection of Central and Roscoe.

Our client was walking eastbound crossing Central in a crosswalk on the north side of the intersection when a woman driving a 2009 Nissan Murano, who was also eastbound on Roscoe, entered the intersection. She proceeded turn left on to Central and failed to observe the pedestrian in the walkway. She struck our client with the passenger side of her SUV.

The Chicago Police Department came to the scene and issued the defendant a traffic violation. She has a September court date at the Daley Center. The officer noted in his police report that the Nissan had a dent on the hood and broken plastic by the headlight where the vehicle hit the pedestrian.

The plaintiff was taken from the scene in a Chicago Fire Department Ambulance to Our Lady Of Resurrection Medical Center with back, chest and elbow injuries. Since the date of the accident she has also been going through follow up treatment at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, as her condition has not improved.

On the Northwest Side of Chicago a pedestrian was hit and killed by a semi truck while crossing the street, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The pedestrian vs. truck accident happened at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Ashland Avenue around 10:30 p.m. in the Wicker Park neighborhood.

The victim, a 59 year old male Chicago resident, was taken to Cook County Stroger Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

The Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit is handling the crash investigation. No tickets had been issued to the truck driver as of this morning, however the investigation is most likely not yet complete. What exactly caused the accident has not been reported. Whether tickets are issued could depend on if there were independent witnesses to the accident.

As for a civil lawsuit against the truck driver and the trucking company, it is a good bet that the family of the victim will retain a Chicago personal injury lawyer to investigate a potential case.

Also see the story as reported by NBC News.

The past 24 hours was a dangerous time to be on the roads on the North Side of Chicago. In addition to the pedestrian accident in Wicker park, there was a motor vehicle accident on the Kennedy Expressway involving 3 motorcycles and a car, and there was a rollover SUV accident on the Edens Expressway in Skokie early Sunday where two people were killed.

The crash on the Kennedy caused all three lanes to be shut down for a period of time and backed up traffic for miles, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. Two of the motorcycle riders were taken to Stroger and the 3rd was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. A women in the car was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

In Seaside Heights, New Jersey, a well known American Idol contestant, Alexis Cohen, was killed over the weekend in a pedestrian vs. car accident, according to MSNBC. The man who hit her fled the scene and was later caught by police. Cohen's body was found in the street after the collision.

CBS News is reporting that Cohen, age 24, sustained abdomen, chest and head injuries after she was struck by the car early Saturday.

The person who allegedly hit her, Daniel Bark, age 23, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving. He was arrested on Sunday in New Jersey and is being held on $35,000 bail. If found guilty, he could receive up to 15 years in prison.

Cohen was not known for her vocals, but for her audition antics. She lost her temper after she was rejected by the judges, and Simon Cowell said she was "a bit possessed" like she was channeling voices. Click here to see her audition from American Idol Season 7.

See also Arrest Made in Hit-and-Run Death of Ex-'American Idol' Contestant as reported by Fox News.

The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have recovered $255,000 on an underinsured motorist claim for a woman who was struck by a car leaving church following Good Friday services.

The client was hit in a crosswalk at Irving Park and Austin as she left Polish Jesuit Fathers. A driver turning left did not see the client, who was crossing the street on a walk sign.

Chicago attorney David Abels said the driver's insurance carrier, Allstate, paid $50,000. The firm then collected an additional $200,000 on an underinsured claim from the client's insurance carrier, which were the limits of the policy, as well as $5,000 in medical payment coverage.

Abels said timely recovery of the $255,000 will assist the woman in recovering from serious injuries.

The woman was rushed to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge with severe head injuries and underwent emergency surgery, Abels wrote in a previous blog. The client had a large piece of her skull temporarily removed and spent time in a coma.

"In reality, no amount of money is ever going to change the situation for our client. This is a lifelong injury that is going to affect her for the rest of her life," Abels told CBS2 in Chicago about pending legislation that would require motorists to come to a complete stop when someone is crossing the street.

The serious injury or death of pedestrians who are struck by motorists continues to be a serious problem -- more than 4,600 pedestrians were killed in 2007, including 171 people in Illinois.

The Chicago Department of Transportation is stepping up enforcement in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department. The operation puts undercover officers in crosswalks posing as civilians. Drivers who fail to yield face fines of $50 to $500.

“Providing a safe pedestrian environment is our No. 1 goal,” said CDOT Commissioner Thomas G Byrne. “This initiative is designed to increase awareness among motorists about the importance of stopping for pedestrians. People should be able to safely cross the street in their neighborhoods.”

Continue reading "Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers at Abels & Annes recover $255,000 for victim of crosswalk car accident" »

In Chicago, Illinois a pedestrian was fatally hit by a taxi last Sunday, according to the Lake Oswego Review. The victim, Robert Deighton, 42, a resident of Lake Oswego, Oregon was walking when a taxicab came out of a driveway and hit him. He was rushed by ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and was pronounced dead shortly after the collision.

The cab driver was ticketed by Chicago Police with failing to yield when coming out of a driveway. He has a June court date. The police department's Major Accident Investigation Unit is handling the investigation.

It has not been reported if the family of the victim has retained an injury lawyer to pursue a wrongful death claim against the cab driver's insurance carrier.

Pedestrian vs. car accidents in Chicago are a big issue as warm weather arrives. Due to a large increase in Chicago pedestrian fatalities in 2008, the Police Department is stepping up their efforts to protect people on foot from cars. They are running a sting operation to catch people who fail to yield to pedestrians, where undercover officers pose as civilians in crosswalks. Further, the Illinois legislature is considering a new law that would require drivers to stop for pedestrians rightfully crossing the street (not just yield).

On Sunday, Chicago accident attorneys from Abels & Annes appeared on CBS News in Chicago to discuss a pedestrian injury case that they are currently working on. The client was hit and severely injured while crossing in a crosswalk at Irving Park and Austin on the Northwest Side. The 38 year old driver of a 2006 Audi A4 failed to notice her crossing.

The Chicago resident was transported by ambulance to Lutheran General Hospital with severe head trauma. Emergency surgery was performed and the client remained in a coma for over two weeks.

Late last week, medical doctors at the hospital were able to wake her. She is in good spirits, however, her road to recovery is long from over. She is expected to remain in the hospital for an extended period of time.

The injured pedestrian has retained Abels & Annes to pursue a civil claim against the driver's auto insurance carrier. Witnesses to the accident should contact Abels & Annes, or fill out the contact form on our website.

Click here to view the CBS story.

A Chicago woman who was hit by a car on Good Friday has woken from a coma. The accident happened just after she left church services for Good Friday at Polish Jesuit Fathers on Irving Park Road. She was crossing in a crosswalk at Irving Park and Austin on a walk sign when a driver turning left did not see the woman and struck her with his vehicle.

She suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. There she underwent emergency surgery and had been in a coma ever since the accident.

She is now awake and in good spirits. However, she is missing a large piece of her skull that was removed during surgery. The bone has been frozen at the hospital and will be re-inserted during another surgical procedure at a later date. Her road to recovery has just begun and she will be in the hospital for several more months.

The driver who hit her was ticketed by the Chicago Police Department and is set to appear in Court later this month. The pedestrian has retained Abels & Annes, P.C. to pursue a civil claim against the driver's insurance carrier.

There may have been several witnesses to the accident who have not yet come forward. If you have information regarding this accident, please call 312-924-7575 or email accidentwitness@yahoo.com.

Train service on the Metra Union Pacific North Line was delayed for over two hours on Thursday evening after a train hit a pedestrian on the North Side of Chicago, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. The accident occurred around 5 p.m. just South of the Rogers Park train station.

The train engineer on outbound train no. 339 reported the collision and then stopped the train. Emergency workers found the body near Ravenswood and Thome Avenue.

The man hit by the train appeared to be in his 20s and it has not been reported as to why he was on the tracks. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

In Chicago, Illinois, a two year old boy died Saturday afternoon after being hit by a car in an alley, according to the Chicago Tribune. The pedestrian accident took place in the block of 7200 South Sacramento Avenue around 4:45 p.m.

The child was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and was pronounced dead around 90 minutes after the accident.

The driver, a 40 year old Chicago woman, was ticketed by the Chicago Police Department for failing to keep a proper lookout for a pedestrian in the road. The exact facts as to how the accident occurred have not been reported.

The NHTSA reports that in 2007, children 14 and under accounted for seven percent of pedestrian fatalities in the United States (306 out of 4,654 deaths). Of those child fatalities, 187 (61%) were male children. Nearly 100 of the children killed were ages 1-3. Eighty percent of the child pedestrian deaths took place at at non-intersection locations. In the same year, around 70,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide, and 14,000 of those injured were children 14 and under.

NFL wide receiver Donte' Stallworth was involved in a fatal pedestrian accident yesterday, according to multiple media outlets such as the Boston Globe. The accident happened on a causeway between Miami and Miami Beach, Florida. Stallworth was driving his Bentley around 7 a.m. when he hit Mario Reyes, a 59 year old construction worker who was crossing the road. It is unclear whether Reyes was in a crosswalk or near a crosswalk. He was rushed to a nearby trauma center and pronounced dead a short time later.

Reyes worked at a crane operator and commuted by bus to work. He had just finished working the overnight shift and was headed to the bus stop when he was hit by Stallworth's Bentley. Reyes is married with a daughter. He came to Miami from Cuba when he was a teen.

Stallworth reportedly cooperated with police, consented to drug and alcohol testing, and has not been charged at this time. Stallworth, 28, currently plays for the Cleveland Browns who signed him last year to a 7 year, 35 million dollar contact. He has previously played for the Patriots, Eagles & Saints. It is being reported that he owns three condos in the Miami area.

An accident like this reminds us that back here in Chicago, pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise. As we recently reported, there were fifty-six pedestrian fatalities here in 2008, a big increase from forty-nine deaths in 2007 and forty-eight in 2006.

Pedestrians accidents are very dangerous. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that pedestrians are over 8 times likelier to be injured, and over 23 times likelier to be killed in an accident, as compared to people riding in a car.

Chicago accident attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. have reached a settlement for a traffic flagger who was hit by a car on a road construction site. Our client was working in the 1400 block of Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview, Illinois on June 17, 2008 when she was hit. She was standing in a lane that had been blocked by construction horses.

The plaintiff was flagging drivers to slow down in the construction zone when a driver entered the blocked lane, drove over several construction horses, and struck our client. The driver then fled the scene. Police were unable to locate the hit and run driver.

Our client was transported by ambulance to Glenbrook Hospital. She complained of head pain, left hand and forearm numbness and tingling, and she had soreness in her thighs and legs. The treating physicians ordered a series of diagnostic tests including head, cervical, abdominal and pelvic CT’s, x-rays, and labs. Our client was prescribed pain medication, told to follow up with a physician, and discharged from the hospital.

On July 3, 2008, our client followed up with her physician. She complained of increasing abdominal pain and bilateral knee pain. Her doctor ordered an abdominal ultrasound, and due to our client’s continued complaints of pain and discomfort, he also ordered gallbladder, liver, and pancreas ultrasounds. The tests were negative.

As a result of her injuries sustained in the accident, our client incurred over $14,000.00 in medical expenses. Workers' compensation insurance paid her bills.

Because the at fault driver fled the scene, attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. filed an uninsured, hit-and-run motorist claim against our client’s insurance policy. She received an additional $15,000 for her injuries.

Chicago Injury Lawyers from our firm often handle and resolve accident cases for pedestrians. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, please contact attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free consultation.

Pedestrian deaths have recently increased in Chicago, Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune. This is occurring even as the City has taken on new safety programs over the last several years such as countdown signals and red light cameras. There were 56 pedestrian deaths in Chicago last year, up from 49 in 2007, and 48 in 2006.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has put forth several theories for the increase, such as bad pavement markings and signage, and construction projects. They also state that there has been an increase of pedestrian traffic in Chicago.

The Tribune story lists pedestrian accident hot spots in the Chicago; intersections that for some reason are more prone to be the location of a collision. Intersections along Lake Shore Drive, Stony Island Avenue, Madison Street and Ashland Avenue are likely to have pedestrian accidents. The intersection of Chicago Avenue and Cicero Avenue is listed as a particularly dangerous location.

As a pedestrian in Chicago, it is a good idea to be as defensive as possible. Whenever possible, cross in a crosswalk, obey the walk signs, and always keep an eye out for traffic, even when you are rightfully and lawfully crossing the street.

Our law firm has represented many pedestrians who were in a crosswalk with the right-of-way that were hit by negligent drivers. In my experience, it is most common that pedestrians are hit by drivers making a right or left turn at an intersection when the driver fails to notice the pedestrian.

Abels & Annes currently represents a pedestrian who was hit by a car and and barely survived, suffering severe injuries. He was hit directly in front of a well marked pedestrian crossing sign.

If you are a pedestrian that has been hit and injured by a motor vehicle, contact Abels & Annes for a free consultation.

Abogados de Accidente de trafico en Chicago de Abels & Annes, P.C., han alcanzado un arreglo para un joven monopatinador que fue golpeado en un paso de peaton por un vehículo que fallo de rendir el derecho de vía. El accidente sucedió el 17 de Abril de 2008 en 117 y la Avenida J en el sur de Chicago. El conductor tuvo un stop y no noto al peatón cuando élla salio. La Policía de Chicago cargó al acusado con fracaso para rendir.

Nuestro cliente sufrió dos dientes rotos, una nariz quebrada, contusiones faciales, y abrasiones al brazo a consecuencia del accidente. El fue llevado a St. Margaret’s Hospital en Hammond, Indiana, y él también trató con un dentista local. Nuestro cliente incurrió varios mil dólares en cuentas médicas.

El conductor del acusado en este caso sólo fue asegurado para $25,000. Reunimos exitosamente esa cantidad para nuestro cliente, y entonces nosotros seguimos un reclamo de automovilista bajo-asegurado contra el seguro de la madre de nuestro cliente. (Este tipo de reclamo es presentado cuando la póliza de seguro del acusado no es suficiente para cubrir la pérdida).

Pudimos reunir un adicional $30,000 para nuestro cliente en el reclamo bajo-asegurado, trayendo el arreglo total a $55,000.

Si usted es un peatón que ha sido golpeado por un coche, o si usted ha sido herido por un conductor sin seguro médico o bajo-asegurado, llame a Abels & Annes, P.C. para una consulta gratis.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyers at Abels & Annes have reached a settlement for a teen skateboarder who was hit in a crosswalk by a vehicle that failed to yield the right of way. The pedestrian accident happened on April 17, 2008 at 117th and Avenue J on the South Side of Chicago. The driver had a stop sign and failed to notice the plaintiff when she pulled out. The Chicago Police Department charged the defendant with failure to yield.

Our client suffered two broken teeth, a broken nose, facial contusions, and abrasions to his arm as a result of the accident. He was taken to St. Margaret's Hospital in Hammond, Indiana, and he also treated with a local dentist. Our client incurred several thousand dollars in medical bills.

The defendant driver in this case was only insured for $25,000. We successfully collected that amount for our teen client, and then we pursued an under-insured motorist claim against our client's mother's auto insurance policy. (This type of claim is presented when the defendant's insurance policy is not sufficient to cover the loss).

We were able to collect an additional $30,000 for our client on the under-insured claim, bringing the total settlement to $55,000.

If you are a pedestrian who has been hit by a car, or if you have been injured by an uninsured or under-insured driver, call Abels & Annes for a free consultation.

A Chicago area resident has been killed in a pedestrian vs. auto accident that occurred this past Saturday, according to the Chicago Tribune. The collision took place at 87th Street and Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn, a suburb just south of the Chicago city limits.

It has not been reported how the accident took place, however an arrest has been made by the investigating police department. This strongly indicates that the driver was at fault.

Every year there are thousands of traffic accidents involving pedestrians in the State of Illinois. For example, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reports that in 2004 there were 5,694 pedestrian accidents throughout the State, and that 155 fatalities resulted from those collisions.

IDOT states that pedestrians involved in accidents (as opposed to vehicle occupants) are much more likely to be injured or killed. Pedestrians are 8.7 times more likely to be injured and 23.1 times more likely to be killed as compared to people riding in vehicles. And, while pedestrians are only involved in 1.3% of the accidents in Illinois, they account for 12.7% of the fatalities.

Pedestrian accidents also occur more often in congested areas. Of the 5,694 pedestrian accidents in 2004, 77% occurred in Cook County, and 97% happened on roads that have been classified as urban.

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, contact our office for a free consultation. Our law firm often handles these types of claims, and we just settled a case against Allstate Insurance this past week.

In West Suburban Lisle, Illinois a pedestrian was hit and severely injured as he crossed Ogden Avenue at Center Avenue on November 6, 2008. He was crossing to get to the First Congregational Church parking lot that is used for Metra train parking. The accident happened in the early evening at a location that is marked with warning signs for pedestrian crossing. The victim was a commuter on his way home from work.

The pedestrian suffered severe injuries, including a broken left arm, multiple pelvic fractures, right eye injuries, a fractured skull, internal bleeding and multiple lacerations. He had to undergo multiple surgeries and was in intensive care for over a week before being transferred to long term care & rehab.

One witness stayed at the scene until Lisle police officers responded, but there may have been others. If you were a witness to this accident, or if you know of a witness, please call (312) 924-7575 or email accidentwitness@yahoo.com.

Click here to view a map of the accident area.

Car Accident Lawyers from Abels & Annes, P.C. have settled an injury claim for a Chicago resident who was injured after being hit by a car while standing in front of his house when a car crash occurred.

On the evening of the occurrence our client was standing in his front yard when the defendant was driving westbound on 71st Street approaching its intersection with Lafayette. The intersection of 71st Street and Lafayette was controlled by a traffic light. There was a red light for westbound traffic. The defendant ran his red light and crashed into a southbound vehicle. The force of the impact knocked the other vehicle into a fence and yard on Lafayette and into the plaintiff, who fell to the ground.

Our client was seen at St. Bernard Hospital’s emergency room right after the accident complaining of shoulder, back, hip and knee pain. He was diagnosed with a fracture to his left clavicle, acute low back sprain and left knee contusion. Pain medications and physical therapy were prescribed. Despite this treatment he continued to suffer from pain and discomfort in his left shoulder, left hip, low back and left knee. However, our client sought no follow up treatment.

The case settled against State Farm Insurance for $15,000. The claim was resolved without having to file a lawsuit.

Pedestrians getting hit while in the area of auto accidents is not common, but it does happen on occasion. This is the second case we have resolved this year where a pedestrian was collateral damage to a car crash. Our other client was injured while waiting at a CTA bus stop. A car accident took place in front of him, a wheel flew off one of the cars and hit him, and he sustained injuries.

Car Accident Lawyers from Abels & Annes, P.C. have recovered insurance policy limits for a Chicago pedestrian injured by a motor vehicle in a September, 2006 accident. The claim was initially denied by the insurance company until our law firm got involved earlier this year.

The car vs. pedestrian accident happened when the defendant was driving northbound on Martin Luther King Drive in Chicago, Illinois as our client was planning to cross King Dr. from the east side to the west side. There was a parking lane for northbound traffic, on the east side of the street. The plaintiff was standing in front of, and to the north of, cars parked in this parking lane. As he was standing in the parking lane waiting for traffic to clear the defendant swerved into the parking lane and struck our client.

The defendant was issued several traffic citations by the Chicago Police Department and plead guilty to failing to exercise due care and driving on a suspended or revoked license.

The plaintiff was transported by ambulance from the scene of the crash to Advocate Christ Hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital emergency room his most significant complaints were of right leg pain as well as injuries to his head, right wrist and right hand. He was diagnosed with displaced right tibia and fibula fractures. The fibula fracture was comminuted, segmental, with multiple components.

Continue reading "Injured Chicago Pedestrian Collects Policy Limits From Driver's Insurance Company" »

In Chicago, Illinois a pedestrian was fatally struck by a hit & run driver early this morning, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The pedestrian vs. auto accident happened on the West Side as a 43 year old woman was crossing the street at 4700 W. Chicago Avenue just after 1:30 a.m.

The pedestrian was hit by a blue and white conversion van. The vehicle continued eastbound on Chicago Ave. after the accident and did not stop.

She was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

Anyone with information regarding the accident should contact the Chicago Police Department. The police department's Major Accident Investigation Unit and area detectives are investigating the collision.

Click here to read the entire story.

Early Sunday morning a man who was changing a tire on the shoulder of the Ontario Street feeder ramp was hit by a car, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The driver that hit him then fled the scene of the accident without stopping.

The injured person, a 31 year old male, was the passenger in a Ford Explorer with a flat. The driver of the stopped car did not see the accident happen.

The Illinois State Police were the first to respond and reportedly the pedestrian was bleeding heavily when they arrived. He was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Hospital.

The police believe the vehicle that fled the scene was a black Mercedes. Apparently, the police found pieces of the car at the scene and they hope to match up the pieces to the offending vehicle. The Illinois State Police are investigating and anyone with information regarding the accident should call (217) 782-5423 or askisp@isp.state.il.us.

As far as an injury case is concerned, if the hit and run driver is not caught, the injured person will be able to make a hit and run, uninsured motorist claim against the insurance policy for the Ford Explorer or his own insurance policy.

Click here to read the entire story.

In Chicago, Illinois a woman lost control of her car, drove over a curb, and stuck and killed her sister who was standing on a nearby sidewalk, according to NBC news. The accident happened late Thursday night just after she started her car and tried to shift gears without removing a Club theft deterring device from the steering wheel, causing her to lose control of the vehicle.

The deadly collision happened in the 5400 block of West Ferdinand in front of the victim's home. The woman was pinned and dragged over 15 feet.

She was taken by ambulance to Stroger Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy is scheduled.

Click here to read entire story.

A woman from the South Side of Chicago was stuck and killed early this morning after being hit by a car, according to the Chicago Tribune. The pedestrian vs. car accident happened just after 2 a.m. at Stoney Island and 93rd Street. The victim was Jessica Newton, age 46, a resident of the 10000 block of South Rhodes.

Newton was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn after the accident. She was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

The Chicago Police Department is investigating the accident and no further details are available yet.

In Chicago, Illinois a teenager has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after he struck a 73 year old pedestrian on the Northwest Side of Chicago this past Wednesday night, according to the Chicago Tribune. The pedestrian was crossing the street in the 6700 block of West Addison Street when he was hit by the teen who was driving a minivan. The driver fled the scene of the accident and was later pulled over after being involved in a second accident in the 3400 block of West Belmont.

The victim was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. He sustained fractured legs and ribs, and internal bleeding.

The teen driver was also ticketed with driving without insurance, driving without a driver's license, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and leaving the scene of an accident.

From an injury lawyer's view, hopefully the 73 year old pedestrian had his own policy of auto insurance. Many clients I talk to do not realize that if you are a pedestrian, and you are hit by a driver that has no valid insurance, you can make an uninsured motorist claim on your own insurance policy.

Click here to read more about uninsured and under-insured motorist claims.

En Chicago, Illinois un chico de tres anos de edad fue golpeado fatalmente por un vehiculo la noche del sabado pasado cuando el entro corriendo a un callejon, según el Chicago Tribune y otras fuentes de noticias. El menor fue llevado a la Universidad de Chicago, Hospital de Niños Comer y fue pronunciado muerto un tiempo corto más tarde.

El accidente sucedió en el 11200 bloque de la Avenida O del sur en Chicago sobre las 10 de la noche. El conductor, un residente de Chicago, de dieciocho años de edad fue etiquetado por la Policía de Chicago con fracaso para reducir la velocidad para evitar un accidente y conducir sin el seguro. No ha sido informado a qué velocidad el vehículo viajaba en aquel momento de impacto. El conductor no fue detenido.

In Harvey, Illinois a fourteen year old girl was struck in a crosswalk last week at the intersection of 159th Street and Wood. She sustained leg and neck injuries. She was taken by ambulance to Ingalls Memorial Hospital, and she is now following up with a medical doctor in Chicago.

Witnesses at the scene are reporting the at fault driver did not realize she hit anyone, that she appeared to be intoxicated, and further that she failed a preliminary breath test that was administered at the scene by police officers. It is not yet known what tickets were issued to the driver for her role in the Chicago area car vs. pedestrian accident.

The parents of the injured teen have retained Abels & Annes, P.C. to pursue a personal injury claim against the at fault driver.

Continue reading "Chicago Area Teen Struck and Injured In Crosswalk By DUI Driver" »

In Chicago, Illinois a three year old boy was fatally hit by a vehicle this past Saturday night when he reportedly ran into an alley, according to the Chicago Tribune and other news sources. The minor was taken to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later.

The accident happened in the 11200 block of South Avenue O in Chicago around 10 p.m. The driver, an eighteen year old Chicago resident was ticketed by the Chicago Police Department with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving without insurance. It has not been reported how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of impact. The driver was not arrested.

Click here to read the entire story.

Chicago Injury Lawyers from Abels & Annes, P.C. have reached an settlement for a local resident that was injured in a pedestrian vs. car accident in September of 2007. Our client was crossing Harrison Street in a crosswalk on a green light at LaSalle Street. At that time the defendant, who was driving southbound on LaSalle Street, turned right on a red light and hit our client.

The plaintiff was treated at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, Illinois for back and neck injuries. He later followed up at Roseland Community Hospital for further treatment. The pedestrian accident case settled prior to litigation. The Hartford is paying on the claim.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Attorneys Resolve Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident Case" »

In Chicago, Illinois four people were injured on Sunday when a car drove into a Starbucks Coffee Shop, according to the Chicago Tribune and several other news sources. The car vs. pedestrian accident happened in the 6000 block of Lincoln Avenue on the far North Side.

Reportedly, the driver of a blue Lexus who was turning into Starbucks lost control, jumped a curb, hit a stop sign, hit a tree, and then smashed through a glass window hitting customers inside the coffee shop.

There was no evidence that the driver, a 56 year old Chicago woman, was intoxicated. The Chicago Police Department issued her a ticket for negligent driving.

The driver and her passenger, and one injured customer were taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital on the North Side. Another person injured in the coffee shop was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.

The Steve Dahl Radio Show, 104.3 Jack FM, reported that customers who went to the coffee shop the rest of the day were given free drink coupons to take to other Starbucks locations.

Click here to read the entire story.

In Chicago, Illinois a pedestrian was killed early Sunday morning in a hit and run accident. The accident happened at 68th Street and Stoney Island, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The pedestrian, a 35 year old Chicago resident, was crossing the intersection on foot when he was struck by a dark vehicle around 1:30 p.m. The vehicle then fled the scene. The pedestrian was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

TheChicago Police Department is investigating the hit and run accident and they have made no arrests. Anyone with information regarding the fatal collision should contact the Chicago Police Department.

Click here to read entire story.

A client of David Abels & Associates, P.C. was recently injured on the North Side of Chicago just after he parked his car on Montrose Avenue. After he exited his vehicle, he closed the door and began to walk towards the front of his car, and as he walked a passing vehicle drifted too close to his parked car and hit him.

After the accident the plaintiff was taken by ambulance to Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois with severe neck pain. In the weeks following the accident his neck pain persisted and his medical doctor ordered an MRI. The MRI showed that he had sustained a herniated disc in his cervical spine as a result of the pedestrian vs. car accident. He has not yet had surgery and still has pain on a daily basis.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the accident and issued citations to the driver that hit our client. The defendant is insured by Allstate.

A 62 year old Chicago resident was killed on Wednesday in Lakeview as she crossed a street in a crosswalk, according to the Chicago Tribune. The hit-and-run accident happened at the intersection of Sheridan Road and Belmont Avenue when a U-Haul rental truck ran a red light and hit a car headed south on Sheridan. The truck then hit a pedestrian in the crosswalk, and then the occupants of the truck fled the scene on foot. A witness at the scene said the truck was out of control.

The pedestrian, Anca Ramniceanu, 62, who lived in the area of the accident was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and died shortly after arrival at the hospital.

The only description of the two men that fled the scene was that one was wearing a red shirt and a baseball hat. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department. Police should also be able to track down who rented the truck by obtaining records from U-Haul.

A pedestrian was killed on the South Side of Chicago on Sunday in a hit and run accident, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The collision occurred around 4 a.m. at 85th Street and Stoney Island. When police came to the scene they found the pedestrian lying in the street.

The victim, a 36 year old Chicago resident, was transported to Jackson Park Hospital and pronounced dead within an hour of the accident. The Chicago Police Department Major Accidents Investigation Unit is handling the matter. Chicago police state that the vehicle that hit the pedestrian fled the scene and that they put a description of the vehicle out over police radio. Tinley Park police stopped the vehicle on Sunday morning and there is now a woman in custody. No charges had been filed as of Sunday night.

The parents of a teen killed when a semi truck slammed into a CTA train station in Chicago have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County against the truck driver and trucking company, according to the Associated Press. The lawsuit alleges that the 64 year old truck driver was driving too fast for conditions, ran a red light, and failed to use his horn to warn of impact.

The driver, who is from Metamora, Michigan, received a traffic ticket for the April 25 accident, but no criminal charges have been filed.

The accident happened when the driver crashed his semi truck into the CTA Red Line train station at Cermak Road on the South Side during the evening rush hour. One other woman was killed and twenty one others were injured, according to the Chicago Tribune and various other news sources.

The truck had just come off the Dan Ryan Expressway near Chinatown when it crashed into the train station and traveled several steps up an escalator. Some witnesses believed the truck was going 40 - 50 mph when it hit the station. Chicago Police Department officials have stated that the two women killed were pedestrians walking near the CTA station.

The cause of the truck crash is still unknown. The truck driver was taken to Stroger Hospital where he tested negative for alcohol, but then he refused a urine test and asked to be discharged from the hospital, stating that he had no insurance to cover treatment. He was then released into the custody of the Chicago Police Department.

A Chicago Fire Department official stated that twenty one injured were taken to area hospitals, and eleven of those were in critical condition. Four people had to be cut out of the escalators at the station by rescue workers.

Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached an insurance policy limits settlement in an uninsured motorist claim for one of our clients. The accident happened in May of 2006 when the plaintiff was hit by a Cadillac on the South Side of Chicago at 1908 W. 74th Street just after he exited a CTA bus.

The plaintiff was taken to Holy Cross Hospital with a pelvic fracture. He stayed at the hospital for over a week and was then transferred to a rehab facility for several weeks. He incurred over $50,000 in medical bills.

The at fault driver did not have insurance for the Cadillac so we pursued an uninsured motorist claim on our client's own auto insurance policy. The insurance carrier tendered the limits of the insurance policy on the claim.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Lawyers Make Policy Limits Uninsured Motorist Settlement In Pedestrian Accident" »

In Chicago, Illinois a teenager riding a skateboard was hit in a crosswalk by a vehicle that failed to yield the right of way. The teen's parents have retained David Abels & Associates, P.C. to prosecute the claim.

The accident took place at 117th and Avenue J on the South Side on April 17th. Our client was on 117th crossing Ave. J in a crosswalk and he had no stop sign. The driver of the car was on Avenue J, had a stop sign, and did not see the plaintiff when she pulled out of the stop.

Our client sustained a fractured nose and two fractured teeth. He had to undergo an emergency root canal shortly after the accident and he is also being treated by a medical doctor for his broken nose. He was also treated in the emergency room at St. Margaret's Hospital in Hammond, Indiana.

The Chicago Police Department ticketed the driver with failure to yield. The defendant is insured by State Farm.

In Chicago, Illinois a semi truck crashed into a CTA Red Line train station at Cermak Road on the South Side during Friday's evening rush hour. Two women were killed and twenty one others were injured.

The truck had reportedly just come off the Dan Ryan Expressway exit ramp near Chinatown when it crashed into the train station and traveled several steps up an escalator used to take people to the train platform. Some witnesses on the scene stated the truck was moving at 40 - 50 mph when it plowed into the station. Chicago Police Department officials state that the two women killed may have been pedestrians walking near the CTA station.

The cause of the truck crash is still unknown. The truck driver was taken to Stroger Hospital where he tested negative for alcohol, but then refused a urine test and asked to be discharged from the hospital, giving the reason that he had no insurance to cover his treatment. He was released into the custody of the Chicago Police Department.

A Chicago Fire Department official stated that twenty one injured people have been taken to area hospitals, and eleven of those were in critical condition. Four people had to be cut out of the escalators at the station by rescue workers. Family members searching for loved ones who may have been injured can call the Red Cross at 312-729-6200 to find out what hospitals they may have been taken to.

Earlier this month an 88 year old woman crashed her car on the North Side of Chicago and in the process pinned two female pedestrians, ages 19 and 20, against a building, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The twenty year old pedestrian was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition. The driver and the 19 year old pedestrian were taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital.

The pedestrians injured in the Chicago accident reportedly suffered multiple broken bones. The accident happened in the 3900 block of North Ashland at its intersection with Byron. The two women were walking on Byron when they were hit.

In LaSalle County, Illinois a construction worker flagging traffic was injured on Friday morning along an Illinois 351 construction site, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The flagger, Eliseo Escatel, 38, of Peru, Illinois was hit by a car and taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital.

Escatel reportedly attempted to jump out of the way of a Jeep Liberty that did not slow down in the contruction zone. The driver, a Peru resident, was charged with driving with a suspended license, failure to stop for a flagger, and reckless conduct.

The accident took place on the same day that workers in other parts of the state were handing out saftey information for National Work Zone Awareness Week. WJBC News Radio reports that "twenty-one people were killed in work-zone related crashes in Illinois last year".

The law firm of David Abels & Associates, P.C. currently represents a flagger who has been hit and injured twice over the past several years while flagging in Chicago area construction zones. The first case settled a few years ago, and the second case is currently pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County against an Allstate driver. The issue in court is not liability, but the amount of money our client is entitled to receive from the negligent driver.

On Monday night an 8 year old child was hit and killed by an SUV on the South Side of Chicago just before 10 p.m., according to the Chicago Tribune and several other news outlets. The driver of the SUV, Theresa Alexander of Chicago, has now been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent driving and driving without insurance. The SUV vs. pedestrian accident occurred in the 5600 block of Princeton Avenue in the Englewood neighborhood.

The boy, Tishaun Fields, reportedly was crossing the street when he was hit by a northbound Jeep Grand Cherokee. He was pronounced dead a short time later at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.

The Chicago pedestrian accident was initially thought to be a hit and run, but the driver returned to the scene shortly after the collision according to police. The Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit is handling the crash investigation. The driver is scheduled to appear in traffic court on May 15. There is no word yet if the charges will be upgraded to felonies.

On Monday night an 8 year old boy was struck and killed by an SUV on the South Side of Chicago just before 10 p.m., according to the Chicago Tribune and several other news outlets. The pedestrian accident happened in the 5600 block of Princeton Avenue in the Englewood neighborhood.

The child, Tishaun Fields, reportedly was crossing the street when he was hit by a northbound Jeep Grand Cherokee. He was pronounced dead a short time later at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.

The driver was reportedly in police custody as of early Tuesday, but no charges have yet been filed and no tickets have been issued. The Chicago Police Department Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating the accident and they have stated she may face charges of drunken driving and striking a pedestrian in the roadway, according to NBC 5 News. The pedestrian accident was initially thought to be a hit and run, but the driver returned to the scene shortly after the collision according to police.

Chicago, Illinois car accident attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C., working with the firm of Elman & Elman, have reached a partial bodily injury settlement with Geico Insurance as a result of a pedestrian accident that occurred in Chicago, Illinois. Our client was injured while his was standing on a sidewalk waiting to catch a CTA bus. As he waited for the bus, an auto accident occurred right in front of him and a tire flew off one of the cars and hit him, knocking him to the ground.

Our client was taken by ambulance to a local hospital in Chicago with back and neck injuries. The case was resolved against the Geico driver during the discovery phase in Court, and the case will continue against the other driver in the car accident who is insured by Allstate.

Continue reading "Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Reach Pedestrian Auto Accident Settlement" »

On Friday two lawsuits were filed in Cook County, Illinois stemming from Wednesday's SUV Accident that happened in South Suburban Crestwood that left fifteen people injured, according to the Southtown Star. One of the lawsuits was filed by an Oak Lawn couple.

The car vs. pedestrian accident happened around 11:45 a.m. at the Tri-State Auto Auction when a 2000 Range Rover sport-utility vehicle that was going on auction accelerated without warning, drove through a crowd inside the auction house, hit a minivan, exited the building, and then ran into a second crowd of people.

Robert Schutzenhofer, 61, is being represented by Parente & Norme, P.C. and is still in critical condition with severe and life-threatening injuries. He is in intensive care unit at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois.

The Illinois State Police are reportedly investigating whether the vehicle had a mechanical problem. The auction driver was taken to the Crestwood Police Department for interview and it is unknown if any type of charges will be filed. Attorneys for Schutzenhofer plan on investigating both driver error and a mechanical problem as they move forward in the case, however they feel that a mechanical failure is not likely.

Continue reading "Lawsuits Filed In Chicago Area SUV vs. Pedestrian Car Auction Crash" »

In the Southwest Chicago Area Suburb of Crestwood, Illinois a total of twelve pedestrians were injured when an SUV driver lost control and ran into a group of people at an auto auction on Wednesday morning, according to the Chicago Tribune and several other news outlets. Three people were very seriously injured with leg and head trauma.

The car accident happened around 11:45 am at the Tri-State Auto Auction when a 2000 Range Rover sport-utility vehicle that was going on auction accelerated without warning, drove through a crowd inside the auction house, hit a minivan, exited the building, and then ran into a second crowd of people.

The 12 injured were all taken to area hospitals. The Illinois State Police are reportedly investigating whether the vehicle had a mechanical problem. The driver was taken to the Crestwood Police Department for interview and it is unknown if any type of charges will be filed.

In Chicago, Illinois a South Loop resident has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol stemming from a hit and run pedestrian accident that happened on the near north side, according to the Chicago Tribune. The victim in the Chicago pedestrian vs. car accident was Ruben Zarco, 51. He was paying cab fare in the 1500 block of North Kingsbury when the DUI driver sideswiped the cab, hit Zarco, and then fled the scene.

Zarco was injured and taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago in reportedly stable condition. The driver was ticketed with DUI, striking a pedestrian in the roadway and leaving the scene of an accident. The accident happened early Friday morning just after 2 am. The location of the accident has a very active nightlife with several clubs and restaurants in the immediate area.

From a Chicago injury lawyer's view, Zarco could potentially have multiple claims to look into. First, there is a strong negligence case is against the driver that hit him. Once Zarco retains an injury lawyer, the first thing counsel will do is investigate who the DUI driver had auto insurance with, and then move forward with an injury claim from there.

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Resident Charged With DUI In Hit & Run Car vs. Pedestrian Accident" »

In Chicago, Illinois a bus vs. pedestrian accident has resulted in a fatality. A pedestrian who was walking west on on Cermak Road crossing Wabash Avenue was struck and killed by a tour bus at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Chicago Tribune. The victim was Winston Yu, 54, of the 2200 block of South Princeton Avenue. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

A 65-year-old man from Maywood was driving the bus at the time of the pedestrian accident and he was issued a ticket for a traffic violation, according to the Chicago Police Department. There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the collision. The accident is being investigated by the Chicago Police Department's Major Accidents Investigation Unit.

Continue reading "In Chicago, Illinois Bus Hits and Kills Pedestrian In Chinatown" »

In the Chicago Area suburb of Des Plaines, Illinois, a car driver was killed Thursday night by a Metra train, according to the Chicago Tribune. The car accident allegedly occurred when Robert Wells III of Des Plaines drove his vehicle around down crossing gates at Pearson and Minor Street and was hit by Union Pacific Northwest Train No. 645. A pedestrian was also hurt in the train accident when the car hit him after it spun away from the tracks and ended up on a sidewalk.

Ricky Collins, of Chicago, was the injured pedestrian. He was standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross the tracks when he was struck. He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Wells was pronounced dead at Lutheran General shortly after the crash. No other injuries were reported.

A 66 year old unidentified Chicago man was hit and injured by a car last week in Vernon Hills, Illinois as he was walking on Butterfield Road near its intersection with Creekside Drive in the evening hours of January 30th, according to the Lake County News-Sun. The driver of the northbound motor vehicle fled the accident scene. The victim of the Vernon Hills pedestrian hit & run accident was taken to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois where he was listed in serious but stable condition.

Police are looking for witnesses to the hit and run accident. Anyone who who has information regarding the accident being asked to call the Vernon Hills Police Department's crime prevention office at (847) 247-4888.

Continue reading "Chicago Resident Hurt in Hit And Run Accident In Vernon Hills, Illinois" »

Cook County and Chicago Area, Illinois car and truck accident attorneys could be busy over the next weeks after heavy snow falls. Traffic times are terrible and vehicles are sliding all over the roads. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has issued multiple warnings to be very careful on the roads and to leave yourself additional time to get where you are going.

It took me close to 2 hours to travel from downtown to the North suburbs in yesterday's commute and it took me 90 minutes to get downtown today (and I left for work at 5:45 am).

If involved in an auto accident, click here to visit our website for suggestions on what to do after a collision.

The Illinois State Police is reporting that yesterday there was a 7 car pile up on Interstate 90 just west of Plaines that was caused when a Chicago resident pulled over in the far left land to wipe snow from his windshield. A Palatine resident was injured and taken to Alexian Brothers Hospital. No other injuries were reported.

I am guessing that there will be multiple reports of accidents in Northern Illinois as snow continues to fall.

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers May Be Very Busy With Auto Accidents As Heavy Snow Arrives" »

Un residente de Chicago fue matada en un golpe pedestre de accidente de auto en el Norte el martes pasado, segun el Chicago Sun-Times y el Chicago Tribune. El accidente de auto sucedio en la esquina de Foster y la Avenida Lincoln. El conductor giraba supuestamente a la derecha de Lincoln para ir hacia el este en la Foster cuando la peatón alegada caminó del encintado y fue golpeada por el coche que daba vuelta. Angelina Romero, del 2400 oeste de la Avenida Winona fue la peatón que fue golpeada en el choque. Ella fue apresurada para Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center en Chicago en la condición crítica, donde ella murió el martes en la noche.

El conductor del coche no fue publicado ninguna multa y la Policía de Chicago ha sido citada por el Tribune diciendo "El conductor tuvo el derecho de vía. ... Ella dio un paso en el sendero del vehículo".

Aquí está el problema: Según miembros de la familia de la víctima, no hay testigos independientes al accidente. La policía parece haber tomado inicialmente la palabra del conductor como la verdad, pero el Departamento de Policía de Chicago la Unidad Mayor de Accidentes esta investigando el choque, y será interesante saber lo qué se contiene en el informe.

Aún más, si este asunto acaba en la corte civil, el conductor del coche será impedido de testificar a cómo el accidente sucedió bajo el Acto de hombre Muerto de Illinois. También, bajo la ley de Illinois, un conductor tiene un deber para mantener una mirada fuera para peatones y para rendir a peatones en una caminata cruzada. Este accidente sucedió en un cruce de Chicago que tiene el tráfico pedestre pesado.

A Chicago resident was killed in a pedestrian knock down auto accident on the North Side this past Tuesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune. The auto accident happened at the corner of Foster and Lincoln Avenue. The driver was reportedly turning right from Lincoln to go Eastbound on Foster when the pedestrian allegedly stepped off the curb and was hit by the turning car. Angelina Romero, of the 2400 block of West Winona Avenue was the pedestrian that was struck in the collision. She was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago in critical condition, where she died Tuesday night

The driver of the car was not issued any tickets and the Chicago Police Department has been quoted by the Tribune as saying "The driver had the right of way. ... She stepped in the path of the vehicle."

Here is the problem: According to family members of the victim, there are no independent witnesses to the accident. The police seem to have initially taken the word of the driver as the truth, but the Chicago Police Department Major Accident Unit is investigating the crash, and it will be interesting to find out what is contained in the report.

Further, if this matter ends up in civil court, the driver of the car will be barred from testifying as to how the accident happened under the Illinois Dead Man's Act. Also, under Illinois law, a driver has a duty to keep a look out for pedestrians and to yield to pedestrians in a cross walk. This accident happened at a Chicago intersection that has heavy pedestrian traffic.

The police might initially side with the driver, but it is a pretty safe bet that Chicago personal injury lawyers are going to get involved in this case.

In Chicago, Illinois auto accident attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a pedestrian accident settlement for a Cook County resident. She was involved in a pedestrian knock down in Chicago at the intersection of Pulaski and Ferdinand. She was struck by a car as she was crossing the street in the crosswalk by a driver who was turning left and did not see her.

She was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago for neck and back injuries. She later treated with a medical doctor and an osteopathic doctor (D.O.) for her injuries. The case settled for $8,000. The defendant was insured by the Avis Budget Group.

Continue reading "Chicago Car Crash Lawyer Reaches Pedestrian Accident Settlement" »

A 59 year old Chicago resident was killed in a pedestrian accident after she was hit by a CTA bus on Monday afternoon, according to the Chicago Tribune. Ludwika Szynalik of the 3300 block of North Natchez was struck on West Addison Street near her home. She reportedly was a passenger of the bus. The 152 Addison bus was westbound at the time of the accident.

The bus accident victim was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and was pronounced dead later in the evening. The bus driver was ticketed, but it has not been reported what the ticket was for. No details have been released as to what caused the accident. A Chicago Police Department major accident investigation is underway. The fact that the driver was ticketed is a strong indication that a wrongful death claim may be investigated.

Personal injury lawyers always have to be careful when pursuing claims against the CTA. There is a one year statute of limitations and a six month CTA notice requirement. If involved in a CTA accident, it is best to hire an accident lawyer as soon as possible so they have adequate time to comply with the six month notice provision and the shortened statute of limitations.

Continue reading "Chicago Illinois Wrongful Death Accident - CTA Bus Hits and Kills Pedestrian" »

In Cook County, Illinois a Lisle resident has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident after he struck a police officer and then fled the scene on late Sunday, according to WBBM News Radio. The pedestrian accident happened in the Lake View neighborhood on Chicago's near north side at the intersection of Belmont and Cambridge.

Robert A. Heinzelman, 33, of Lisle was arrested by Chicago Police several hours after the crash. The car involved in the incident was found parked in a garage parked next to Heinzelman's apartment and it was registered in his name.

The Chicago Police Major Accident Investigation Unit arrested the defendant without incident and stated that he may be charged with DUI as well. He was driving a blue Ford Focus and was seen driving South on Cambridge after the alleged occurrence. The officer was on foot at the time of the injury accident and he was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Hit and Run Pedestrian Auto Accident Injures Police Officer" »

In a Chicago, Illinois auto accident a person was killed and another was seriously injured when a motor vehicle struck a building near the Lincolnwood and Chicago border on Friday, according to the Chicago Suntimes. The car hit a building located in the 3800 block of West Devon Avenue. The Chicago Police Department, Major Accident Investigations were called to the scene.

No further information as to how the accident happened, or the identities of the driver and victims has been released. It was reportedly a "pin-in crash".

In this type of case the family of the deceased will have a wrongful death claim against the driver who struck the building. The second injured person would have a personal injury claim as well.

Our firm recently handled a similar bizarre case where our client was at home in bed in a South suburb of Chicago when an elderly neighbor lost control of her car, crashed thourgh the wall of the house, and struck the plaintiff. The case settled out of court. The only issue in this type of case is typically damages, as there is no issue as to who is at fault.

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Pedestrian Accident - Car Crashes Into Building, Kills 1, Injures Another" »

A Chicago resident was hit and killed by a car in Skokie on Thursday night, according to the Chicago Tribune. The pedestrian vs. auto accident happened after dark at 7:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of Golf Road near the Springfield Avenue intersection.

No traffic tickets were issued by the Skokie Police, as they say the pedestrian crossed in the dark without a crosswalk. The driver never saw the pedestiran, and did not know what he hit until after he pulled over.

The pedestrian was Jaime Villanueva, 44, of Rogers Park. He was taken to Evanston Hospital and pronounced dead at 9:08 p.m. Police state that location is very dark at night and they are still trying to determine why the pedestrian was in the road.

While the newspaper report indicates the police blame the pedestrian for this auto accident, it will be interesting to see if further investigation shows anything different, or if personal injury lawyers get involved on behalf of the pedestrian's family. While it was dark out, and there is no crosswalk at that location, the pedestrian obviously cannot give his side of the story.

Continue reading "Skokie Illinois Pedestrian Accident Kills Chicago Resident" »

A Cook County Resident was seriously injured when a motor vehicle drove onto a sidewalk at Cumberland Avenue and Summerdale Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois. Chester Doboszewski was the pedestrian who was hurt. He was waiting on the sidewalk for a walk sign to cross the street. The accident happened right in front of a Chicago Fire Department Firehouse.

The at fault driver did not stop and fled the accident scene. Chicago Fire Department Paramedics rushed Chester to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. He was diagnosed with multiple left leg fractures and a skull fracture.

Normally, a pedestrian struck by a hit & run driver would have a good uninsured motorist claim against his own insurance company. His insurance company would "step into the shoes" of the hit and run driver, and the pedestrian would recover monetary damages. Here, unfortunately Mr. Doboszewski has no auto insurance and no one in his household has auto insurance. His only hope to recover is against the at fault driver.

If anyone has any information regarding this pedestrian accident, please contact the Chicago Police Department, or contact our office.

In the Chicago area suburb of Geneva, Illinois a pedestrian has been struck by a Metra train on the Union Pacific West Line railroad tracks around 5:30 p.m., according to the Daily Herald. The pedestrian, who has not been identified, died in the train accident. The occurrence took place near the Fox River. The Geneva Police and Fire Departments were on the scene, but there has not been any indication yet as to what caused the accident.

The Federal Railroad Administration reports that train related accidents in Illinois declined in 2006, but statistics for 2007 are not yet available.

A Chicago, Illiois school bus driver that caused a bus accident that left one pedestrian dead and injured eight others was sentenced to 6 years in prison for reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. He admitted drinking prior to the crash and his blood alcohol limit was nearly 3 times the legal limit, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. The accident was earlier this year on May 21.

The driver in the bus crash was Jerry Moncrease, 71, and the victim was Antoine Bolden, 22, a father of 3. Moncrease was employed by Bryden Transportation. Cook County prosecutors said the school bus was traveling as fast as 70 m.p.h. when it hit an SUV on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois at the intersection of Garfield Boulevard and Wentworth Avenue. The crash involved multiple vehicles and Bolden was a pedestiran killed as he was crossing the street.

Bolden's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County seeking damages in excess of $50,000 against Moncrease and Bryden Transportation. My clients have inquired in the past as to why "an amount greater than $50,000" is asked for in many lawsuits. That is the minumum amount to file your case in the Law Division of the Court. Even though this lawsuit may be worth millions, the complaint will usually only ask for an amount greater than $50,000.

At the time of the fatal accident, Bolden was on his way to see his 7 month old twin boys at a hospital who have health problems and were born 3 months premature. Bolden also had a 21-month-old daughter. While any accident that causes a death is a terrible event, these circumstances are particularily tough. It is likely that Bolden was the provider of income for his three children.

Sometimes auto accident deaths may be worth millions of dollars, but in reality the at fault party may only have a small amount of insurance. An individual driver in Illinois is only required to carry an insurance policy of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per occurrence. In this event, we are dealing with a bus company, so it is likely that there will be millions in insurance coverage. This type of money will be badly needed for the family to survive over the many, many years to come without their father.

A pedestrian accident in Chicago, Illinois occurred when an 87 year old driver lost control of his car, ran a red light, struck and killed three people. The auto accident occurred at the intersection of North Avenue and Kimball. Alicia Coria, 27, and two of her sons, Ivan Castro (age 8) and Diego Castro (age 10), were killed by a vehicle that struck them as they were crossing the street in a crosswalk .

Her son Christopher (age 12), survived the accident and so did the driver of the vehicle, George Miller, age 87, of Chicago, Illinois. Miller was ticketed by the Chicago Police Department for failing to stop at a traffic signal, driving left of center, striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and having no insurance. Chicago Police are still trying to determine what caused Miller to lose control of his car.

It is likely that the accident could create some debate about elderly drivers. NBC Nightly News has reported that drivers age 70 and older have the second highest rate of traffic fatalities of all age groups, a rate of approximately 25 deaths per 100,000 population. The only higher risk group is teenagers.

However, Illinois has the nation's toughest license renewal laws for elderly drivers. Drivers ages 75 and over have to take a road test every time they renew their drivers license. Drivers ages 81-86 have to renew with a road test every 2 years, and drivers 87 and over have to renew their license with a road test every year.

Continue reading "Pedestian Accident in Chicago, Illinois Kills Mother and 2 Sons" »