Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Melissa Taylor Standridge Appointed to the Kansas Court of Appeals

January 12, 2008 | By Dave Abels

The Governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius, has named Melissa Taylor Standridge to the Kansas Court of Appeals, citing her extensive litigation and court experience, as well as her involvement in the community and commitment to the children of Kansas. “Melissa’s years of experience with the judiciary and her work in private practice will be beneficial as she joins the Court of Appeals,” Sebelius said. “With strong ties to her community and a breadth of legal experience, I am confident Melissa will serve the people of Kansas well.”

There are only 13 Court of Appeals Judges in the State of Kansas. Standridge fills a new position created by the Legislature in 2007.

Melissa has practiced law for 14 years and has served as chambers counsel for U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Waxse in Kansas City, KS, since October 1999. In the 8 years with Judge Waxse, Standridge has been responsible for analysis and resolution in hundreds of cases, and has written over 300 proposed opinions, activities which prepare her well for the duties of the Kansas Court of Appeals. Prior to that she practiced four years with Shook, Hardy & Bacon in Overland Park, Kansas. She also worked as chambers counsel to the Honorable Elmo Hunter in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri from 1993-1995.

Chicago Area Truck Rollover Accident Closes Interstate 55

January 10, 2008 | By Dave Abels

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.

Chicago, Illinois Rollover Car Crash – Teen Dies On Dan Ryan

January 9, 2008 | By Dave Abels

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

Illinois Car Accident – 15 Year Old Crashes Vehicle Into House, Later Cleared of Wrongful Death

January 8, 2008 | By Dave Abels

In Downstate Illinois, a 15 year old girl crashed a car into a house in the town of Shiloh on Saturday night, according to the Belleville News Democrat. After the auto accident police discovered a woman dead in the house. Sheriff investigators believed that the woman was struck and killed in the car crash. The girl, who had another teenage passenger with her, was taken to the sheriff’s department to be interviewed.

The girl was soon released to her parents when the Sheriff’s Department determined that the woman was already dead at the time of the car crash. They are not exactly sure when she died, but at least several hours before the crash.

The woman was in her 50s and lived with her boyfriend who was at work at the time of the crash. The investigation is ongoing but no foul play is suspected.
Continue reading

Chicago Injury Lawyers Reach Car Accident Settlement

January 7, 2008 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois auto accident attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a car crash settlement for a local resident. He was involved in an accident at the intersection of North Avenue and Central in Melrose Park and was taken to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital for back and neck injuries. He later treated at the May Clinic and the Midtown Clinic. The case settled for $20,500. The defendant was insured by State Farm.
Continue reading

Chicago Auto Accident, 3 Cops and 1 Other Driver Injured

January 6, 2008 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago, Illinois car crash has left three police officers and one civilian injured, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The collision happened on Thursday night at the intersection of 65th and Cottage Grove. An unmarked police car struck a white Jaguar, and then the cars hit a building.

The Jaguar was Eastbound on 65th and the police vehicle was Southbound on Cottage Grove. The intersection was controlled by a stop light. The Chicago Police Department is stating that the officers had their siren on at the time of the accident on their way to an emergency call, but they did not say who had the green light.

Some witnesses at the scene are reporting that the Jaguar had a green light and that the police car did not have its siren on. There is also reportedly a traffic camera at the intersection and the police are going to be able to review the tape and determine what actually happened. Continue reading

Chicago Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Reach Settlement

January 4, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Personal injury lawyers from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a settlement for a Chicago resident who strained his right shoulder while carrying an object up a latter at work. He treated at Alexian Brothers Medical Center and followed up at Westgate Orthopaedics in Oak Park. His case settled for $6,000 and his bills were paid for. The defendant was insured by Frankenmuth Insurance Company.

Work comp lawyers from our firm also reached a settlement for another Chicago resident who was injured at work when he tripped and fell at work. He sustained soft tissue back and neck injuries. He treated at Westlake Hospital and Chicago Orthopaedic Associates. Our client received disability pay while he was off work for over 11 weeks, his medical bills were paid, and we negotiated a $5,200 bodily injury settlement for him as well. The defendant was insured by AIG.

The two cases listed above are not big cases and do not involve the most serious of injuries, but we like to list results from big and small cases as all of our clients are important to us.

Park Ridge, Illinois Wrongful Death Car Crash – Chicago Resident Charged With DUI

January 3, 2008 | By Dave Abels

A deadly auto accident in Park Ridge, Illinois has led to a Chicago man being charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the Chicago Tribune. The collision resulted in the death of a passenger in another car.

A 28 year old Chicago resident was driving eastbound on Devon Avenue on Christmas Eve when he rear ended a Mitsubishi that was stopped at a red light. The crash happened on the border of Park Ridge and Chicago at Canfield Road and Devon. The at fault driver’s car then struck a daycare center on Devon.

The passenger/victim was Justin Prendergast, 20, of Chicago. He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where he died from injuries sustained in the accident. The driver of the Mitsubishi and two other passengers were taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Continue reading

Chicago Illinois Wrongful Death Accident – CTA Bus Hits and Kills Pedestrian

January 1, 2008 | By Dave Abels

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. A woman from 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 Injury Car Accident – Cop Charged With DUI

December 31, 2007 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago police officer has been charged with DUI after an expressway auto accident on Christmas Eve, according to the Chicago Tribune. The car crash happened on the Dan Ryan at 43rd Street in the express lanes around 11:30 pm. The police officer was off duty and heading southbound when he struck a tow truck.

The officer was in critical condition after the car collision and he was taken to Stroger Hospital. The tow truck driver was hurt in the accident as well. He was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. The Illinois State Police investigated the accident and charged the off duty officer with DUI.

Believe it or not, this is the third time in the last couple of months I have written about off duty Chicago police officers involved in DUI personal injury auto accidents. In late November an off duty Chicago police officer involved in a fatal motorcycle accident in June, 2007 was charged with DUI. Next, a Chicago, Illinois car crash early Thanksgiving morning resulted in the death of 2 people, and an off duty Chicago police officer that caused the collision was charged with DUI.