Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

On January 3, 2008 in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago a client of Abels & Annes, P.C. was injured when a semi truck lost control and rolled over shortly after it entered the Southbound lanes of the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) at LaGrange Road. The plaintiff was driving in the far left lane and her vehicle was struck by a Ford Taurus that had been forced into her lane by the semi truck. The truck driver reportedly was not sure was caused him to lose control of the vehicle, but thought that he may have hit a patch of black ice. The Cook County truck crash blocked all South lanes of the highway.

Our client was taken to Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital by ambulance for back and neck injuries. She also had follow up treatment with a chiropractor in Chicago.

The truck driver was insured by Indiana Insurance. The injury case settled for $13,300.

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Back and Neck Injuries , Personal Injury , Settlements & Verdicts , Truck Accident

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Chicago, Illinois car crash lawyers from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a bodily injury settlement with Northland Insurance Companies as a result of a car vs. truck accident that occurred at 120th and Halsted in Chicago, Illinois in February of 2007. Our client was southbound on Halsted when a commercial truck headed northbound lost control and hit the plaintiff.

Our client was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, Illinois with back and neck pain, muscle spasms and headaches. He later had follow up treatment with a chiropractic physician in Chicago. The truck accident case was settled without filing a lawsuit against the the at fault truck driver.

Continue reading "Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys Reach Truck Crash Settlement" »

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Back and Neck Injuries , Personal Injury , Settlements & Verdicts , Truck Accident

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Early Monday morning around 4 a.m. a truck driver headed from Chicago to Morris, Illinois on Interstate 80 fell asleep and hit a median, according to Newsweek.com and several other news sources. The truck trailer, which was loaded with 14 tons of double stuffed Oreos, overturned and spilled onto the highway.

The truck accident occurred about 50 miles southwest of Chicago. The Illinois State Police are investigating. Both lanes of traffic had to be closed to remove the cookies and this caused big traffic delays. No charges have been filed against the driver, and there were reportedly no injuries.

It has not yet been reported how many innocent double stuffed Oreos were lost in the accident.

Click here to read the entire story.

Click here to see accident photo.

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Posted In: Truck Accident

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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.

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Posted In: Legal News , Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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On the North Side of Chicago, Illinois three people were hurt on Friday morning in a three vehicle accident involving two small trucks and a van, according to the Chicago Tribune. Two involved were seriously injured. The van was operated by MV Transportation out of Niles, a private company contracted by Pace to transport passengers.

The accident occurred at 1600 N. Clark Street and was reportedly caused when one of the trucks involved in the accident ran a red light and struck the van. No Pace passengers were in the van at the time. The van driver was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital along with one of the truck occupants. Another person was taken to Lincoln Park Hospital. Two people involved in the crash did not immediately go to the hospital.

The crash was investigated by the Chicago Police Department and it has not been reported if any tickets were issued.

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Personal Injury , Truck Accident

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Abogados de choque de camion en Chicago, Illinois de David Abels & Associate, P.C. han alcanzado un arreglo corporal con USA Truck, Inc. viniendo de un accidente de coche vs. camion que ocurrio en Julio de 2007. Nuestro clienteestaba en el Interestatal 294 en el Condado de Cook cuando ella fue golpeada por un medio camión que cambió de carril y golpeó a nuestro cliente.

El demandante fue llevada a Hinsdale Hospital con heridas de espalda. Ella también tuvo tratamiento con medico en Oak Lawn, Illinois. El caso fue asentado sin tener un pleito.

Continue reading "Abogados de Herida en Chicago Alcanzan un arreglo para un Accidente de Trafico de Camion vs. Coche" »

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Settlements & Verdicts , Truck Accident

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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.

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Posted In: Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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Chicago, Illinois truck crash attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a bodily injury settlement with USA Truck, Inc. stemming from a car vs. truck accident that occurred in July of 2007. Our client was Northbound on Interstate 294 in Cook County when she was hit by a semi truck that changed lanes and struck our client.

The plaintiff was taken to Hinsdale Hospital with low back injuries. She also had follow up treatment with a medical doctor in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The case was settled without having to file a lawsuit.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Lawyers Reach Truck vs. Car Accident Settlement" »

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Back and Neck Injuries , Personal Injury , Settlements & Verdicts , Truck Accident

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A Chicago truck driver who caused a rear end collision on a tollway in 2003 that resulted in the death of eight women was sentenced to four years in prison this past Thursday for reckless homiside, according to the Northwest Herald and several other news sources. The truck crash occurred in October, 2003, near the Marengo-Hampshire toll plaza on Interstate 90 in McHenry County, Illinois. The truck, driven by Vincente A. Zepeda, 54, struck a 25-seat bus in which the eight women were passengers from behind as the bus slowed for traffic.

At trial in November, 2007 McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather found Zepeda guilty of eight counts of reckless homicide and also failing to maintain his truck’s brakes. Crash scene investigators testified that the truck was at least going 60 mph when it collided with the bus. The accident also occurred in a 45-mph construction zone.

The eight women killed were from the Chicago area and were returning from a day-trip at a Rockford garden. Zepeda was taken into custody after sentencing, as he had been out of custody on a $40,000 bond. He will only have to serve 18 months of his 4 year sentence if he receives crdeit for good behavior.

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Posted In: Bus Accident , Legal News , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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On Wednesday last week a car that was stopped in traffic on Northbound Illinois 53 in the area of Rolling Meadows, Illinois was rear-ended by a semi-trailer truck and then pushed into another truck, according to the Chicago Tribune. As a result of the truck accident, the driver of the car, Janet Cummings, 41, of Lake in the Hills, died Saturday at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

The driver of the truck was ticketed with driving too fast for conditions and for driving without insurance. The Illinois State Police investigated the accident.

As shown by this Illinois motor vehicle collision, injuries resulting from truck accidents can be very deadly. The difference in size between a semi truck and a car can result in grave injuries to people inside average size cars. The United States Department of Transportation reported that in 2003 alone there were 4,986 fatalities and 122,000 injuries in large truck accidents throughout the United States.

Continue reading "Chicago Area Truck vs. Car Crash Results In Death Of Lake In The Hills Resident" »

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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In Chicago, Illinois an accident involving two trucks and a car has resulted in serious injuries to four people, according to ABC 7 News. The auto accident took place Monday on the Dan Ryan Expressway ramp connecting the inbound Dan Ryan to outbound Interstate 290. The crash took place around 6:30 p.m. A spokeman for the Chicago Fire Department reported that a semi truck rear-ended a small car and then hit another semi truck. The specific injuries and what hospitals people were taken to has not been reported.

The occupants of the car should have a good negligence claim against the driver and the trucking company that caused the accident. Under Illinois law, a driver has a duty to not drive too fast for traffic conditions, and to keep a proper and sufficient look out for other vehicles on the road.

Injuries resulting from truck accidents can be very serious. The difference in weight between a semi truck and an average car can cause sever injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. The U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that in 2003 there were 4,986 motorist fatalities and 122,000 injuries in large truck accidents throughout the U.S.A.

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Personal Injury , Truck Accident

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In Chicago, Illinois a truck crash on the eastbound side of the Kennedy Expressway shut down all lanes for nearly an hour on Tuesday early in the afternoon, according to the Chicago Tribune. The collision involved two semi trucks and three other vehicles at Interstate 90/94 near Ogden Avenue.

One truck jackknifed into another truck, puncturing a fuel tank and spilling fuel over the roadway. The Chicago Fire Department's hazardous materials response team was called out to clean up about fifty gallons of fuel. The highway lanes were re-opened once the spill was contained about an hour later.

One person was injured in the truck accident and taken to the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. The Illinois State Police are investigating the collision and the cause of the crash has not yet been reported.

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Truck Accident

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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" »

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Pedestrian Accident , Premises Liability , Slip and Fall , Truck Accident

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A Chicago, Illinois resident who rear-ended a semi-truck, killing her passenger, has been sentenced to prison by a judge in Van Buren County, Michigan, according to mlive.com. The car / truck crash happened by the Interstate 94 westbound entrance ramp in Mattawan, MI. on February 23, 2007.

The car accident occurred when Latora M. Thornton, 22, of Chicago, Illinois drove around a police roadblock and then struck the back of a truck that was stopped in traffic. Her passenger, Karl L. Shaw, 27, also from Chicago, was killed in the auto collision. Traffic was backed up because of a truck fire.

Beyond the fact that Thornton was driving while intoxicated, a speed-sensing device in her 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt showed she was moving at 103 mph just before the impact.

On January 2, 2008, Thornton pleaded no contest to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. She was sentenced to a term of 22 months - 15 years in prison by Circuit Judge William Buhl, and she will receive credit for time already served.

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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Two siblings from Elgin, Illinois were killed in an auto accident on Thursday when their car was hit by a semi-truck in Huntley, Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune. Sergio Espinosa, 52, was driving with his sister, Rosalinda Rodriguez, 57, westbound on Oak Creek Parkway at Illinois 47 just after 2:30 p.m. when a truck heading north on Illinois 47 struck the driver's side of their car. The vehicles came to rest around 200 feet from the intersection which is controlled by a traffic light. The police are trying to determine who had the green light and if speed played a role in the accident.

If there are no independent witnesses to the accident, determining who had the green light could be difficult to do (unless the trucker states that he blew a red light, which is doubtful). Accident reconstruction experts from the investigating police department should be able determine if either of the vehicles were speeding by looking at multiple factors.

Continue reading "Huntley, Illinois Car / Truck Crash Results in Death of Elgin Brother & Sister" »

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Truck Accident , Wrongful Death

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Last Thursday, January 3, 2008 in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago three people were injured when a semi truck lost control and rolled over shortly after it entered the Southbound lanes of the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) at LaGrange Road. The Cook County truck crash took place just after noon and blocked all South lanes of the highway. By 2:00 pm all but one lane had been re-opened. The three people injured in the motor vehicle accident were taken to Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

David Abels & Associates, P.C. has been retained by one of the injured to pursue a negligence claim against the truck driver and truck owner. She sustained back and neck injuries and is seeing a Chicago doctor. She was driving in the far left lane and her vehicle was struck by a Ford Taurus that had been forced into her lane by the semi truck. The truck driver reportedly was not sure was caused him to lose control of the vehicle and thought that he may have hit a patch of black ice.

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Truck Accident

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