Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Abogada de compensación de trabajadores resuelve una demanda en Illinois

May 13, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Una abogada de herida del trabajo de Abels & Annes en Chicago ha establecido un reclamo a favor de un residente del Condado de DuPage.

El demandante fue contratado como un camionero para la compañía en los suburbios occidentales. En diciembre de 2009, levantó unas cajas pesadas y las puso en su hombro derecho para llevarlas a su camión. Después de hacer esto, comenzó a tener dolor en el hombro derecho.

Sobre pasaron las semanas el dolor se mantuvo y el conductor comenzó tratamiento con un médico. Se le ordenó una resonancia magnética que con el tiempo demostró que había sufrido un desgarro. El demandante tuvo cirugía para reparar el hombro.

May Marks National Youth Traffic Safety Month as Officials Look to Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere

May 13, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Every May, teens across the country join together for National Youth Traffic Safety Month to focus on traffic related accidents among their age group; accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death for the youngsters, according to the National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS).

National Youth Traffic Safety Month aims to reach out to young drivers to help them make safer decisions behind the wheel, which in turn can reduce the risks of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere across the United States.Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge friends and family to join the campaign to help raise awareness among teen drivers and to help educate them with the proper habits for safe driving. The spring prom and graduation season is the most dangerous time of year for young drivers.

National Youth Traffic Safety Month offers traffic safety education projects for young drivers and supports legislation and law enforcement activities aimed at promoting safe driving among teens.

National Youth Traffic Safety Month offers these ideas to help you get involved in raising awareness this month:

-Encourage everyone you know to get involved. Try speaking with local law enforcement, auto sales establishments, stores that teens frequently shop, schools, radio stations and all local media. Encourage these places to help spread the word locally about the importance of safe teen drivers.

-See if you can suggest gubernatorial and mayoral proclamations proclaiming National Youth Traffic Safety Month. Steps to request a proclamation can be found on the NORS website.

-Pick a specific issue that can positively impact your community. It could be suggesting stronger enforcement of current laws, buckle up reminders or even visual projects to show the impact of distracted driving or other safety issue. Take an idea that is specific to your area and create something that will fit the need of your community. Try working with local officials to spread the word and effect change.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the more than 208 million licensed drivers in the United States in 2008, teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 counted for more than 6 percent, or 13.3 million drivers.

Nearly 2,500 teen drivers were killed and roughly 196,000 were injured because of car accidents in 2009. The statistics show a decrease of roughly 15 percent from the previous year. Nearly 150 teen deaths were killed in Illinois in 2009 as a result of car accidents involving a teen driver.
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Illinois Motorcycle Accident Throws Driver into Mississippi River

May 12, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A motorcycle accident in Jersey County took the life of one motorcyclist this past week, according to Illinois State Police. The rider died when he veered to the right side of the road and struck a guard rail between Elsah and Chautauqua, according to The Telegraph.

The 24-old rider was taken to the hospital after a passing motorists notified police of the motorcycle accident in Illinois on Route 100 near Alton.Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys urge riders to be extra cautious this spring season. Other motorists, evening hours and poor weather conditions all pose potential dangers to a vulnerable motorcyclist. While many motorcycle crashes are the fault of other motorists, it’s important that riders to their part to avoid serious or fatal accidents. May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month and we encourage riders to take the message to heart: Get proper training, have your bike serviced, wear the appropriate safety gear and never drink and ride.

The accident happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. this past weekend. The impact from the collision threw the motorcycle driver into the river. Police report that the driver was wearing his helmet. The Jersey County Sheriff’s Department, the Illinois State Department of Conservation police, the Grafton Police Department and the and the QEM Fire Protection District joined together to locate the riders body. After roughly two hours, the body was located. The road remained blocked for another four hours.

Police have yet to determine if alcohol played a role in the accident. A toxicology test is being administered as it is standard in crash investigations.

WhyBike.com offers these tips for motorcyclists who will be hitting the roadway during the nighttime hours:

-Your perception is drastically reduced during the dark evening hours. Keep an eye on the reflective road signs, white lines and other areas of illuminated road to help you navigate.

-Oncoming traffic may be easily spotted, but parked cars are not. Keep an eye out for stationary vehicles parked on the side of the road.

-Animals can be a deadly obstacle, too. Keep an eye out for animals that may enter your path of travel by watching for the reflection in their eyes. If you encounter and animal on the road, dip your headlights, slow down and try to steer your way around.

-Be sure to wear reflective gear while driving at night. This will allow other motorists to recognize your presence a lot easier.

-Try not to look directly into oncoming headlights as it can causing a blinding effect that drastically minimizes your ability to see for a short while, which clearly isn’t a good thing while driving a motorcycle.

-Keep your visor clean and polished as small scratches can distract light and cause a very distracting starburst effect.
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Woman killed, 2 children injured in deadly Illinois truck accident

May 11, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago area semi-truck crash in southwest suburban Channahon has resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to 2 children on Tuesday afternoon, according to WGN-TV.

Channahon Police are saying that a white SUV heading west on Eames Street was hit by a truck as the SUV tried to make a left turn onto Bell Road around 3:30 p.m. The truck crashed into the passenger side of the SUV, knocking it into a light pole and killing the female driver.

Two girls, ages 4 and 7 months were riding in the backseat. It took 40 minutes to remove the 4 year old from the vehicle. Both were taken to hospitals, one airlifted to Advocate Good Samaratin Hospital in Downers Grove. Police are saying the children’s injuries were not life threatening.

DUI charges filed after fatal Chicago bus accident – driver also wanted on child sex abuse charges

May 10, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Last week Illinois bus accident attorneys at our office reported that a pedestrian was hit and killed by a tour bus in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. Now the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the bus driver involved has been charged with aggravated DUI, a felony.

The deadly Chicago pedestrian accident occurred last Tuesday night just before 7 PM at the intersection of Columbus and E. Illinois St. The 26-year-old victim was crossing with a green light and was hit as the bus was turning onto Columbus.

It is now being alleged that the 47-year-old bus driver was under the influence at the time of the incident. He reportedly tested positive for cocaine after the accident.

Illinois work comp lawyer resolves claim

May 9, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago work injury attorney at Abels & Annes has settled a claim on behalf of a DuPage County resident.

The claimant was employed as a truck driver for company in the Western suburbs. In December, 2009, he lifted up some heavy boxes and put them on his right shoulder to carry them to his truck. After doing this, he started to experience right shoulder pain.

Over the coming weeks the pain remained so the driver started undergoing treatment with a medical doctor. An MRI scan was eventually ordered which showed he had sustained a tear. The claimant underwent surgery to repair the shoulder.

Chicago CTA bus crash – 4 injured downtown

May 7, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A CTA bus accident early Friday morning has resulted in four people being hospitalized, according to Fox news in Chicago. The collision involved a car and bus at the intersection of Washington Street and Clark Street in the Loop.

Reportedly a number 20 Madison bus was headed eastbound around 3:15 AM when a car, also traveling eastbound, cut in front of the bus causing a collision.

Four CTA passengers were taken by ambulance to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Three of those hurt were taken to Mercy Hospital, and one was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago auto accident – vehicle crashes into downtown Dunkin’ Donuts

May 6, 2011 | By Dave Abels

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that two motorists were hurt in a Chicago car crash early Tuesday morning, with one of the cars striking a Dunkin’ Donuts in the Loop.

This is the second time in a matter of days that a driver has crashed into a Chicago restaurant. As our Illinois auto accident lawyers reported recently, a motorist crashed into Manny’s Deli this past Saturday, leaving a large hole in a restaurant wall.

This crash involved a Toyota SUV and a taxicab. The cause of the accident was not reported.

Chicago truck accident lawyer reaches $825,000 settlement

May 5, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Illinois truck crash attorney Gary Annes of Abels & Annes recently resolved a tractor-trailer vs. automobile accident claim on behalf of a Chicago resident for $825,000.

The claim arose out of a collision that took place in August, 2009 in the afternoon hours. Both the plaintiff and the defendant truck driver were headed northbound on Interstate 94. The tractor-trailer was in the center lane and our client was in the right lane. The semi truck change lanes, failing to observe the plaintiff, and struck the rear driver’s side of her car with the front passenger side bumper of the truck.

The impact sent our clients car spinning across three lanes of traffic into the left retaining wall. The front end of her car struck the wall, causing the vehicle to bounce back while still spinning. As the vehicle spun, the passenger side sideswiped another vehicle, causing a third impact. Finally, the vehicle struck the right retaining wall with the rear driver side of her vehicle for a fourth impact before coming to a rest.

8-year-old injured in Illinois hit-and-run pedestrian accident

May 4, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago area pedestrian accident has resulted in injuries to an eight-year-old boy from Chicago and criminal charges against an Oak Park man. Trib Local is reporting that the incident took place just after 4:30 PM on Saturday in Oak Park.

Police are stating that a vehicle turning on the 1000 block of S. Taylor Ave. hit the child after failing to stop for stop sign. The driver then fled the scene.

Approximately 20 minuntes after the accident, a 29-year-old Oak Park resident was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, a felony. He was also ticketed for driving on a suspended license and disobeying a stop sign. Luckily several witnesses saw the accident which enabled police to track the driver down.