Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The average drunk driver in Illinois is male, age 34, and has a blood alcohol content of .16 – twice the legal limit in the state. But drunk drivers and drivers under the influence of drugs can take any form and can vary widely from this typical scenario as compiled by the Illinois Secretary of State. Regardless, the victims of drunk driving accidents in Chicago likely are not concerned with the age or gender of the offender who caused their crash. Instead, it becomes a reality that anyone who chooses to drink and drive poses a risk to others and is more likely to cause a collision than those who drive sober.

Drunk driving collisions are the cause of thousands of injuries in Chicago and across Illinois every year and account for millions of dollars’ worth of damages in the form of medical and surgical expenses, lost wages, damage to vehicles, and pain and suffering. The damages are most severe when a victim loses his or her life in these collisions, though the toll enacted in these situations falls heavily on those left behind, whether they are family members or loved ones.

Though no actions can turn back the hands of time and prevent a crash once one has occurred, victims may be entitled to seek financial compensation to help them recover monetarily. This relief can be sought by a victim through the use of a civil claim for damages, a type of relief that is separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought against a drunk driver. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a collision or if a crash otherwise has affected your life.

Early Sunday morning, police learned of a two-vehicle crash on the Kennedy Expressway in the northbound lanes. According to these officials, a suspected drunk driver was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes and collided head-on with a northbound vehicle. The suspected at-fault driver was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. That driver has since been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and may face additional charges pending the investigation currently underway by local authorities.

Additionally, two people were seriously injured in the second vehicle involved in the crash, a driver and one passenger. Though the nature of their injuries has not been disclosed, both are expected to survive this ordeal.
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If you drive in Illinois, you are obligated to follow all state traffic laws in addition to any local city or municipal laws that apply to the areas in which you travel. Most people inherently understand this requirement and stop at stop signs, yield the right-of-way, and obey the speed limit, among other required actions, but every day in Chicago and across the state, thousands of motorists make a conscious decision to disobey one or more traffic laws. While their actions may seem harmless to these drivers, in fact, they may be evidence of negligent or reckless driving that can threaten the safety of all others in the area, including passengers in their own vehicles. Often, ignoring or disobeying a traffic rule is a contributing factor to Chicago car accidents.

What are victims to do if a car crash affects their lives? Many victims do not realize that they may be entitled to bring a claim and seek relief for their losses that is separate and distinct from any charges brought by police or local authorities against an at-fault driver, but the laws in Illinois are designed to protect victims from unnecessary suffering, giving them options for compensation. The possible relief can vary depending on the facts of an individual accident so the options available to you may be different than those available to someone else, regardless of whether you were involved in the same crash. If you have questions, you may want to consult with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area to learn about your legal options and your ability to obtain relief.

Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, a police official attempted to make a traffic stop of a driver, but that driver had other plans, according to authorities. The driver allegedly fled the scene of the attempted stop and struck another vehicle in the 500 block of North Franklin Street in Chicago, leading to a collision. The second vehicle has not been identified but it was not the police vehicle that initiated the stop.

Following the impact, the driver of the fleeing car reportedly took to his feet as he attempted to run away from the scene. However, after a short distance, a State Trooper apprehended and arrested the suspect who is now facing charges related to the crash.

One person in the second vehicle was injured in the accident and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. The suspected at-fault driver reportedly was unhurt, as was the officer who attempted the stop. However, during the foot pursuit of the fleeing suspect, the State Trooper sustained a broken finger.
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A snow storm is hitting much of the country, bringing freezing temperatures from Montana down to New Mexico and blanketing some of those areas with snow and ice. While Chicago has seen some winter weather this year, the amounts have been minimal and have not caused significant impact to motorists and commuters around the city. However, as the year winds down, it is a certainty that winter snow, sleet, and ice are on their way and soon will be threatening the roads of Illinois, and with it, threatening the safety of all of those who use the roads to travel.

Winter weather accidents can affect any driver or any passenger in the city and can turn a typical driving day into a nightmare in mere moments. Slush, drifting snow, black ice, and gusting wind can all play their role in a collision but in most cases, winter weather combines with the actions of a driver in leading to a crash. Actions like speeding to following too closely become more dangerous as the weather worsens and can be the primary factor to blame when weather leads to an accident.

The best thing to do when inclement weather strikes is to drive as safely as possible and to stay alert for dangers. The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. suggest you keep the following tips in mind as winter approaches:

– Winterize your vehicle: If you drive in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, consider taking steps to prepare your vehicle as much as possible before winter strikes. Make sure your car is in good working condition and get a tune-up if needed.

– Check your tires: Tires are one of the most overlooked safety aspects of a vehicle. If your tires are old or have a large number of miles, ask an expert if it is time to replace them. Consider opting for winter or snow tires during the snow season to enhance your vehicle’s performance and regardless of the tires you select, make sure they are properly inflated before driving.

– Accelerate and decelerate slowly: Poor conditions mean it is more likely that a vehicle will slip on a road’s surface. To limit a loss of traction as much as possible, increase and decrease your speed slowly, especially when turning or driving on a hill.

– Keep plenty of gas in your tank: Extra weight in a vehicle can help keep the car under control in wintertime, especially in icy conditions. Experts recommend keeping at least half of a tank of gas whenever possible to help control a vehicle’s motion. Additionally, extra gas may come in handy if poor weather slows your travel and it takes longer to make it to your destination than anticipated.
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Authorities often encourage travelers to report suspicious behaviors to officials working in the area, even if they are unsure whether the suspicious behavior is threatening. But traveling is not the only time such behavior should be reported, according to numerous police agencies across the nation. When motorists witness reckless or negligent conduct by another driver, they are encouraged to report such actions to a relevant police agency so steps can be taken to stop the driver and avoid a collision, whenever possible.

Often, reckless driving is associated with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a threatening behavior all too common on the streets and expressways of Chicago. Drunk driving accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries in the state of Illinois every year and they are believed to cause millions of dollars’ worth of damages.

Many victims do not know what to do or where to turn when a Chicago drunk driving accident occurs and leaves them injured, but fortunately, the law is on their side. When hurt in Illinois, victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages and payment for expenses like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. As each crash is unique, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer if you have been involved in a collision or if your loved one was injured or killed in a crash.

Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, police in the Chicago area received multiple reports of a driver traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-55 near Damen Avenue. Not long after the reports were made, the suspected wrong-way driver collided head-on with a vehicle traveling southbound, causing a serious crash that left two women injured. At this time, police believe that the wrong way driver may have been under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, leading to the arrest of the 22-year-old female driver with charges pending.

The driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash was a 29-year-old woman. Damage to her vehicle required authorities to cut away a portion of the car before she could be removed and transported to an area hospital for injuries considered to be serious but not life threatening. Her current condition is unknown.

The suspected at-fault driver was also hurt in the accident and needed medical assistance though her injuries were believed to be minor.
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Like every other state in the country, Illinois has laws against drinking and driving, and violating those laws can lead to serious punishments and penalties. In Illinois, a driver is presumed to be under the influence of alcohol if that driver has a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. But not everyone realizes that motorists can be cited and found guilty even if their BAC is lower than .08. As written in the law, what matters is whether a driver is intoxicated or impaired by the alcohol in his or her system.

Some types of drivers have even less leeway when it comes to drinking and driving. For example, those under age 21 are not permitted to have any alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle, in part because they have not reached the age of majority and therefore cannot drink legally. Some professional licenses likewise require drivers to refrain from all alcohol while driving. A school bus operator often is required to comply with this rule and even a drop of alcohol in a driver’s system can lead to a criminal charge in some cases.

When a motorist drives under the influence, that driver’s ability to make decisions and respond to changing conditions deceases, increasing the odds of a drunk driving accident occurring. These collisions can be serious and may leave victims with injuries ranging from bumps and bruises to broken bones and lacerations to head injuries or even death. While many drunk drivers know that they risk the possibility of a criminal charge if they are caught, not all realize that they may also be held financially liable for any and all damages that result if they cause a collision. Victims of these crashes may be able to understand their legal options by speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area.

Two cars collided and a building was hit in a Lincolnwood car accident that happened Thursday at approximately 3:00 p.m. According to police in the area, one car was traveling northbound in the 6600 block of North Lincoln Avenue when the driver lost control and struck a second car, then several trees, a building, and a sign pole. Emergency crews responded to the crash and transported the driver to an area hospital but his injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead. During treatment, officials learned that the driver had alcohol in his system prior to the collision but the exact level of alcohol and whether that driver was intoxicated are unclear at this time. It is also not clear whether anyone in the second vehicle or in the area of the restaurant were hurt in the crash.
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Most drivers in Illinois follow the rules of the road, stopping at red lights and stop signs, driving safely, and yielding the right-of-way. But even when a large number of drivers act responsibly, safety is not guaranteed because the actions of a single motorist can threaten dozens of people on the road at the same time. When a driver acts negligently and causes an accident, it is often innocent victims who are left to suffer.

Car accidents occur in Chicago every day and most of them, fortunately, are minor. But thousands of Illinois residents suffer serious injuries annually in car crashes when a driver fails to pay attention or is otherwise distracted behind the wheel. Following a collision, the law requires all drivers to remain at the scene and to speak with police officers expect in rare situations like a medical emergency. Failure to stay at the scene can be classified as a hit-and-run accident and can lead to additional charges against a driver which may lead to fines, fees, penalties, loss of a driver’s license, or even incarceration.

Victims of car collisions in Chicago may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages if they were hurt or if a loved one was injured or killed. Following an accident, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you evaluate your case and inform you whether compensation is possible, and if so, what claims may be available to you or your family.

Shortly before midnight, an SUV on Lake Shore Drive was operating erratically and allegedly struck two vehicles before fleeing the scene, according to local police. The northbound SUV reportedly rear-ended a taxi cab before continuing forward and striking a Jeep from the rear. Both the driver of the cab and the driver of the Jeep lost control of their vehicles, sending both into concrete barriers where the cab flipped over become coming to a stop. Police state that the SUV fled the scene without stopping to check on the victims of the accident and that the driver has not been apprehended at this time.

Three victims were left in serious to critical condition after the collision and were taken to area hospitals for treatment of unspecified injuries. An additional three victims also obtained medical treatment for injuries believed to be less severe and all six victims are expected to survive.
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Sideswipe accidents and collisions result in numerous injuries every year. The heavy traffic in the city gets funneled into congested corridors and often requires motorists to make quick decisions when driving. Whether you are near an expressway, an interstate, or simply on a city road, you may encounter merging traffic as you travel around Chicago.

Merging is one common cause of sideswipe car accidents because drivers may attempt to merge into a new lane when it is not clear to do so. In some cases, a lane may end, leaving a driver little to no choice but to move to a new lane, regardless of traffic conditions. But even if merging is required and traffic is heavy, it is still the duty of drivers to operate in a safe manner and not to threaten the security of others in the area. Failing to do so may cause a collision and may lead to a driver being held legally liable for his or her actions. In addition to a traffic ticket or a citation, that may include financial liability for any damages done to a victim, whether those damages take the form of medical expenses, lost wages, or even pain and suffering. It is a victim’s right to seek relief after a Chicago car crash and speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your options if you have been hurt.

Police responded to the scene of a collision near the Stevenson Expressway and the Kedzie exit ramp early on Sunday morning. The incident happened around 1:00 a.m. and involved three cars, injuring at least two women and sending them to area hospitals.

Police believe that a Nissan traveling southbound on Kedzie sideswiped one vehicle that was exiting the expressway and rear-ended a second, leading to damage sustained by all three cars. The two victims reportedly were the driver and a passenger in the Nissan and both received emergency care at the scene before being transported to hospitals. In an unusual turn, authorities have confirmed a third person was taken to a hospital from the scene but reported that the victim’s injuries were sustained prior to the collision and were unrelated to the crash. Neither driver of the cars that were struck were seriously injured or required medical help following the collisions.

Police are still reviewing all factors related to this incident but anticipate the issuance of citations, according to reports. However, police have not stated why the Nissan struck the other cars at this time or whether any external factors, including intoxication, may have played a role.
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