Articles Posted in Hit & Run Accident

Following a Chicago car accident, most people know that they are legally obligated to exchange insurance and contact information before heading their separate ways. Sometimes, however, car accidents take place where the at-fault party collides with another vehicle and flees the scene. If the at-fault party is unable to be located, it could leave the driver who was hit with little recourse against that hit-and-run driver for any physical injuries or property damage resulting from the accident.

In this situation, an injury lawyer will look to pursue an uninsured motorist claim against the accident victim’s own auto insurance policy. The carrier will essentially step into the shoes of the driver that fled the scene and pay on the claim.

According to a recent news report, a local hit-and-run accident left a local man dead and a woman severely injured. The crash took place when a Jeep traveling southbound ran a red light at an intersection and T-boned another vehicle heading east. That vehicle then crashed into another car heading north. The driver of the first vehicle hit by the Jeep died on the scene, and the vehicle’s passenger was sent to the hospital for treatment of critical injuries. The driver and passenger of the second car struck were not hurt. Local authorities suspect that the at-fault driver fled the scene on foot after the accident but were confident they would be able to locate the individual in question.

When you drive a vehicle in Chicago, you agree to follow all the laws that apply to driving in the area. This means that you must stop at stop signs, obey the speed limit, and yield the right-of-way when appropriate. It also means that if you happen to be involved in a collision, you must remain at the scene of the crash to exchange information with the other drivers or with the police officers who respond. Failing to do so can be considered a hit-and-run car accident and may be a traffic offense or even a crime based on the facts of the collision.

But what happens when you are involved in a collision, you remain at the scene, and the other driver flees without stopping?

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Across the country, studies reveal that approximately 11 percent of all traffic collisions involve a hit-and-run driver. That means that though local and state laws require a motorist to remain at the scene once a collision has occurred, more than one-in-ten crashes involve at least one driver who chooses to ignore those rules, fleeing the scene without speaking to police or other authorities.

Most states, including Illinois, have some limited exceptions to rules requiring a driver to remain at the scene of a crash. Generally, those exceptions apply in the event that emergency medical care is needed and where delay to help would be harmful. Though the exceptions to the rules tend to be narrow, drivers in Chicago continue to flee daily and without medical need.
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If you drive in Chicago, you agree to obey all the local and state rules of the road while acting in a safe and reasonable manner. You also agree to face punishments imposed by the state if you fail to follow the laws or to live up to the legal requirements governing your conduct. One clear rule in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs requires anyone involved in a car accident or other traffic collision to remain at the scene until cleared by officials. There are very limited exceptions to this rule and generally exist only in the case of medical emergencies and when a driver otherwise leaves the scene, it is called a hit-and-run accident.

Though a hit-and-run is a crime in Illinois, thousands of drivers continue to flee the scene of a collision every year in an effort to avoid the fallout from that accident. But what many people do not realize is that a large number of those drivers are later apprehended and generally will face stiffer punishments when they are caught than they would have otherwise. The reasoning behind this strict enforcement and punishment is to encourage motorists to comply with the laws and also to punish negligent and reckless behaviors that can leave injury victims at the scene of a crash, in need of medical help and without the ability to call for that help on their own.
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Pedestrians are a part of Chicago and are as common of a sight as taxi cabs, L trains, and city buses. Yet despite the fact that pedestrians are on the streets 365 days a year, their rights to walk are often ignored or understated by other types of individuals, including drivers. The laws that apply to Chicago-area drivers and pedestrians are clear and set forth who possesses the right-of-way and at what time. If everyone in a given area obeyed every rule at all times, odds are that a pedestrian accident would never materialize. However, in today’s busy world, collisions continue to occur between these groups of travelers and in almost all situations, pedestrians are left to bear the physical damage from a crash.

After an accident happens, a victim who sustains injuries cannot magically erase all the suffering he or she must endure. That victim cannot reverse time or undue the negligent conduct that led to a crash. But the victim may be able to move forward from the incident without greater suffering or additional harm if she chooses to seek financial compensation through the use of a civil claim for damages. This type of relief is available in many of the pedestrian accidents that happen in Chicago and can provide payment for losses like medical bills and missed wages. If you have questions, you may get the answers you need by speaking with a personal injury attorney about the law and its impact on your personal rights.

Chicago police officers were called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident in the city on Tuesday and upon arrival, they confirmed that the suspected driver involved struck a pedestrian. The incident occurred near the 3400 block of North Harlem Avenue shortly before 6:30 p.m. when a four door sedan approached a middle-aged pedestrian and struck the woman. Emergency crews also responded to the incident and assessed the victim for injuries. After an initial assessment in the field, the woman was transported to an area hospital for greater treatment where her injuries were considered critical.

Though a vehicle was involved in this incident, the driver allegedly did not stay at the scene but instead fled the area and has not been apprehended at this time. Police are looking to speak with the driver and with the vehicle’s owner if they are not the same person but at this time, no contact has been made. If the driver is located, the police will attempt to determine whether the driver erred in conduct prior to the impact and if so, what charges may be brought in response.
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Car accidents in the Chicago area can be complex and can lead to numerous legal actions, some against an at-fault driver in the form of a traffic ticket or a civil charge, and some brought by victims for their own damages in a civil action. Often, the intricacies of these cases can be difficult for average citizens to sort through because of the interrelated nature of the laws and the convoluted outcomes that are possible.

Many victims who are involved in car accidents realize that they may be entitled to seek relief if they have been hurt in a crash. But fewer people realize that this relief is still possible if an at-fault driver flees the scene or causes a hit-and-run accident. Whether a hit-and-run driver is later apprehended or even identified, Illinois laws may enable those hurt by the fleeing driver to obtain financial compensation though an auto insurance policy. If you have been involved in a crash and you would like to learn about your rights, you should consider speaking with a Chicago personal injury lawyer to determine your options and whether compensation is possible.

A collision occurred on the Dan Ryan Expressway this morning at approximately 3:30 a.m. and involved four separate vehicles, including a semi-truck, according to local officials. The crash took place in the northbound lanes in the proximity of 47th Street and left two people in need of medical treatment.

The victims were assessed and transported to area hospitals for injuries that have not yet been disclosed and their current conditions remain unknown. Police are still investigating this incident and trying to determine what caused the impact, including whether anyone acted negligently or recklessly in their conduct. Based upon this determination, traffic tickets may be issued.

Officials have also confirmed that one of the four vehicles involved in the crash left the scene on the Dan Ryan without speaking to police or being cleared by other authorities. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to speak with local officials or officers.
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Hit-and-run accidents are problematic in Chicago. They lead to numerous injuries every year and millions of dollars worth of financial damages. From property damage done to vehicles and building to the medical bills incurred by victims, hit-and-run collisions take their toll across the state of Illinois.

Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime in Illinois and can lead to serious charges if an offending driver is apprehended. In addition to the possible loss or suspension of a driver’s license, a hit-and-run motorists may face court fines and fees, incarceration, or even other penalties as determined fit by a court of law. Yet the criminal aspect of these accidents may be far from the only damages that can be levied against an at-fault driver. The right to bring a claim for damages may belong to all victims of a car accident and these victims may be entitled to financial relief. Payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering that results from a collision. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area may help you understand the legal implications of your crash and whether you have a right to seek a recovery.

In an unusual series of events, police responded to the scene of a hit-and-run accident in Rogers Park on Saturday, shortly after 3:30 p.m. Officials believe that a white SUV in the area of the 7000 block of North Clark Street collided with a taxi cab and then left the scene of the impact. The driver of the cab was still able to operate his vehicle and allegedly the cab driver followed the SUV to the area of Ridge Avenue and Lunt Avenue where both vehicles came to a stop.

Both the driver of the SUV and the driver of the cab exited their vehicles. According to officials, a female passenger in the SUV then moved behind the wheel and attempted to flee the scene, striking the cab driver and causing him serious injuries. Emergency medical personnel transported the cab driver to an area hospital for medical treatment where his condition was considered critical. The original driver of the SUV, described as a 39-year-old individual, was reportedly arrested in connection with the incident. Police are looking for the second driver of the SUV, the woman who reportedly caused the second impact, but they have not located her or the vehicle at this time.
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Drivers sometimes fail to realize that an accident can occur to them at any time and at any place. This is because even if you drive as safely as possible, you may still be at the mercy of the other drivers on the road. Even a short time driving in Chicago will illustrate the fact that drivers tend to speed, run red lights, and fail to completely stop at stop signs. Any of these negligent acts can and often does lead to a collision, some of which cause serious injuries.

When an accident results, the laws in Illinois and in Chicago require that all drivers involved remain at the scene until they are cleared by police with very few exceptions. Failing to abide by this law is generally described as a hit-and-run and it is very serious. In addition to any underlying traffic charges stemming from a crash, a fleeing driver may also face a misdemeanor or criminal charge for fleeing the scene of an accident, potentially resulting in fines, a loss of license, or even incarceration.

But the penalties leveled by the State of Illinois may just be the beginning of the effects felt by a negligent fleeing driver. The injured victims of a crash can choose to retain a lawyer and to bring a claim for their damages against the responsible driver, seeking monetary compensation for their injuries and their pain and suffering.

A hit-and-run accident can affect any type of individual near a street, not just those in a car. Rather, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are victims of fleeing drivers every year in Chicago and often, they are more seriously injured than they would be if they had been traveling in a car.

That appears to be the case in a West Rogers Park accident last night around 8:30 p.m. Police have reported that an unknown driver in a black Toyota Avalon was driving west on Devon Avenue and approaching Maplewood Avenue. Three individuals were walking in the area and the driver allegedly struck all three, a 72-year-old woman, a 68-year-old man, and a 28-year-old man.

All three victims were left in critical condition and were transported to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston for evaluation and treatment of their injuries. The driver of the Avalon reportedly fled the scene of the crash without stopping to see if any victims were injured and without calling for help. Anyone with any information regarding the driver involved in this crash is asked to contact the Chicago Police Department.
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Illinois law is very clear – after an accident, a motorist must remain at the scene of the crash until cleared by local authorities, with some limited exceptions for things like medical emergencies. Yet despite these requirements, every day injury lawyers receive phone calls from accident victims who report that the other driver not only caused the accident but also fled the scene without speaking to police and without calling for help.

Often, these accidents seem to be worse than a typical crash because another driver does not show remorse for his or her actions. Further, fleeing the scene can turn deadly if those involved in the crash were injured and unable to call for help. If the only able-bodied adult leaves the scene of the collision, emergency authorities may not be notified for some time, decreasing the chances of survival for those who have been seriously injured.

Many victims feel there is no one to help them after a hit-and-run crash and that there is no claim to be had against the responsible driver. But in many cases, this is not true. Following a collision, the fleeing driver often is identified and may be criminal charged for the actions that led to the crash. When this happens, an accident victim may be entitled to a financial recovery against that driver that will provide compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

In other cases, the other driver is never identified and the victim does not learn who caused the collision. Even in these cases, it may be possible for a victim to be compensated for his or her losses. Often, a car accident lawyer can help set up a claim against the victim’s own insurance company known as an uninsured motorist claim. This is a type of car insurance carried by most Illinois residents and it provides for coverage in the event another driver does not have insurance or cannot be located after a crash. The victim’s own insurance company steps into the shoes of the defendant and provides payment for the damages that stem from the crash.

In some cases, money cannot adequately compensate a family for what they lost in an accident. That is the case in a Gurnee crash on Saturday morning that left a man dead and his dog seriously injured. Police believe that the 31-year-old male victim let his dog outside after returning home from work. The man was concerned about the dog’s location and started looking for him near the area of Skookie Highway around 3:30 a.m. when an unknown motorist approached.
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A Saturday motorcycle crash left a biker critically injured and forced officials to shut down a portion of Lake Shore Drive temporarily, according to local police.

The accident occurred shortly before 8:00 p.m. near the northbound ramp to the Stevenson Expressway. Emergency officials responded to the scene and found the 25-year-old male driver of the motorcycle seriously injured after the accident. No other vehicle known to be involved was at the scene at that time. Officials transported the victim to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County for treatment. Though he was initially in critical condition, his current status, including the extent of his injuries, is unknown.

Being the victim of an accident can be a distressing event for anyone. Yet when a negligent driver flees the scene after causing a crash, often the resulting accident seems even worse. Illinois law makes it illegal for anyone to leave the scene of an accident without first speaking with police. This law makes negligent drivers responsible for their actions and it also enables some victims to receive help after a crash.

If a victim of a hit-and-run is unconscious and in need of medical help, a driver who flees the scene will not be able to call authorities or an ambulance to help the victim, increasing the chances of a permanent injury or even death. Often this happens after accidents at high speeds or accidents between a car and a pedestrian, motorcycle, or bicycle. As these crashes are likely to cause serious injuries, the chances only increase when a driver flees the scene and leaves victims without help. In fact, national statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that approximately 18 percent of pedestrian fatalities involve hit-and-run drivers. That means that in nearly one out of five accidents that result in the death of a pedestrian, the driver involved flees the scene and does not stay to speak with police or offer the victim any assistance.

Besides the increased threat of injury to any victims, leaving the scene of an accident also carries the possibility of criminal or traffic charges. In fact, leaving the scene of a crash is a crime and when a victim suffers serious injury or death, the charge faced by a driver can be a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The victim of a hit-and-run or the victim’s surviving family members may pursue a civil claim against the driver as well for any injuries, including death, that the driver caused. In the event that the driver is never located after an accident, a claim can still be brought against the victim’s own insurance company to seek payment for damages, including pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.
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