Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois Auto Accident Attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached an uninsured motorist claim settlement with Erie Insurance for a client who was injured in August, 2007. The accident took place at Grand Avenue and Dileys Road in Waukegan, Illinois. The plaintiff was stopped at a red light for Eastbound traffic on Grand when the defendant hit her on the passenger side.

The defendant fled the scene after the impact, but then pulled into a nearby gas station. Our client followed the driver to the gas station where there happened to be a Lake County Sheriff's Deputy. The plaintiff approached the Deputy, and when the defendant observed this he fled the gas station at a high rate of speed. The Sheriff's Deputy jumped into his squad car, chased the defendant and caught him. The defendant was ticketed with no insurance and several other moving violations.

Our client sustained back, neck and shoulder injuries. She was treated that day at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion, Illinois. She later had follow up treatment with a chiropractor in Riverwoods, Illinois.

Because the at fault had no insurance, we pursued an uninsured motorist claim against the plaintiff's own auto insurance carrier. The Lake County accident case settled for $15,000.

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Back and Neck Injuries , Personal Injury , Settlements & Verdicts , Uninsured Motorist Claim

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Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a settlement on a UM claim for a client stemming from a 2006 auto accident that took place on the South Side at 79th and Lowe. Our client was eastbound on 79th Street when the defendant failed to yield coming out of a stop sign for southbound traffic on Lowe. The driver that hit the plaintiff did not have valid insurance at the time of the accident.

Our client sustained neck injuries and treated with his primary care physician in Oak Park, Illinois. His doctor also referred him to physical therapy.

Due to the fact that the defendant did not have insurance, we set up an uninsured motorist claim against our client's own insurance company. American Family Insurance paid on the claim.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Lawyer Reaches Uninsured Motorist Claim Settlement" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Back and Neck Injuries , Personal Injury , Uninsured Motorist Claim

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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" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Pedestrian Accident , Settlements & Verdicts , Uninsured Motorist Claim

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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.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Injuries to Children & Minors , Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury , Uninsured Motorist Claim , Wrongful Death

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A woman from Elgin was killed in a pedestrian accident on the South Side of Chicago early Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Ashley Brown, age 23, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead just before 2 a.m.

Brown was involved in an accident around 1:20 a.m. at 75th and State Street in Chicago. Brown and another woman were struck by a vehicle as they were crossing the street on foot, according to Chicago Police. Both were taken to Northwestern Hospital and the other woman reportedly suffered a broken leg.

The women were reportedly struck by a Dodge Magnum, which is a large sport wagon. The vehicle fled the scene of the Chicago accident. The Chicago Police Department major accident investigation unit is working on the case. The Dodge Magnum is not a common vehicle, and anyone with information regarding the accident should contact the Chicago Police Department.

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Hit & Run Pedestrian Accident Claims Life Of Elgin Woman" »

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Posted In: Auto Accident , Hit & Run Accident , Uninsured Motorist Claim , Wrongful Death

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Cook County car accident lawyers from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a $40,000 bodily injury settlement with USAA Insurance as a result of an auto accident that occurred in July of 2006. The car crash happened on the Southbound Edens Expressway near Willow Road, Northfield, Illinois when the defendant rear ended a car that was then knocked into our vehicle. The defendant fled the scene of the Interstate 94 auto accident.

The impact was not heavy and only caused about $300 in property damage, but our client sustained a shoulder injury when he was knocked into the steering wheel. Our client, who is actively serving in the military, was treated at the North Chicago VA Hospital and followed up for additional treatment at the Great Lakes Naval Base and Health South for physical therapy.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Hit & Run Accident , Personal Injury , Settlements & Verdicts , Uninsured Motorist Claim

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A Chicago resident has been charged with Aggravated DUI after causing a multiple vehicle car crash in Kane County on Saturday, according to the Daily Herald. The auto accident happened when Santos Christian Romero-Villagrana, 23, rear ended two stopped vehicles that were waiting to turn into a driveway. The car crash happened on eastbound Route 72.

The Kane County Sheriff's Department stated that 7 people were taken to area hospitals after the collision. Three were taken to Provena St. Joseph Hospital, three to Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois and one person was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois. It has not yet been reported if the injuries are serious.

Villagrana was charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, no insurance, and several other moving violations. Details of the evidence of intoxication were not reported.

Continue reading "Chicago Resident Charged With DUI In Kane County Personal Injury Car Accident" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Personal Injury , Uninsured Motorist Claim

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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" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Hit & Run Accident , Pedestrian Accident , Uninsured Motorist Claim

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A Cook County Resident, Lester Cooperwood, 48, died on Sunday night when the car he was riding in as a passenger lost control and struck a steel CTA viaduct near 4600 West Lake Street in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. Cooperwood was riding in the front seat of a Dodge Stratus that was being driven by a 41 year old man who lives at the same address as the victim in the 1700 Block of North Lorel Avenue.

The driver suffered lacerations and bruising and was taken to a Chicago area hospital. The driver was also charged by the Chicago Police Department with with DUI, improper lane usage, driving without a license and no insurance.

Cooperwood was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Chicago, Illinois a short time later due to injuries sustained in the accident.

From a Chicago personal injury lawyer's perspective, the family of the Cook County passenger has a right to bring a wrongful death claim against the driver of the car, but here it appears the at fault party had no liability insurance. If the victim, or a household family member had a valid auto insurance policy, then the family should be able to make an uninsured motorist claim.

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Passenger Killed When Car Hits CTA Viaduct" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Uninsured Motorist Claim , Wrongful Death

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A Chicago rollover auto accident killed a 19 year old last Friday night on the Dan Ryan Expressway, according to several news sources. The accident happened at the Cermak exit near Chinatown just after 10 p.m.

The van in the Cook County motor vehicle accident reportedly had numerous occupants and Maria Hernandez, 19, was killed when the driver, age 27, lost control, rolled over and ejected Hernandez from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead shortly after the auto accident at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

Illinois State Police have charged the driver with DUI, no insurance and no seat belt. The State Police indicate the DUI will be upgraded to a felony.

Four other passengers were taken to Michael Reese Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Rollover Car Crash - Teen Dies On Dan Ryan" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Uninsured Motorist Claim , Wrongful Death

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A hit and run accident near Morton, Illinois caused a tractor-trailer roll over crash on Interstate 74 last Sunday, according to the Pekin Daily Times. A pick-up truck struck the larger truck, caused the driver of the truck to hit a guard rail and then flip over on it's side. The accident occurred during the ice storm that hit central Illinois this week.

Illinois State Police say the tractor-trailer was driven by Gregory Houston, 50, of Quincy. He was east-bound when a gray pick-up struck his vehicle. He also fell out of the truck when it rolled. The pick-up driver fled the scene after the collision.

The accident is still under investigation. The Morton Police Department and Morton Fire Department were also on the scene.

If injured, the driver of the truck can retain a personal injury lawyer and make two types of claims. He has a workers' compensation case because he was injured during the course of his employment. Under work comp the trucker would receive medical benefits, temporary total disability pay if he is off work because of the accident, and he will also be entitled to a bodily injury settlement. The claim would be filed with the Illinois Industrial Commission.

Continue reading "Illinois Roll Over Truck Accident Near Peoria" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Hit & Run Accident , Truck Accident , Uninsured Motorist Claim , Work Injuries

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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.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Hit & Run Accident , Pedestrian Accident , Uninsured Motorist Claim

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