Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois school bus accident sends six children to hospital

February 23, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago area school bus accident has resulted six children being injured and hospitalized, according to Tribune Local. The collision occurred Tuesday morning in North Suburban Vernon Hills, and all children have since been released from Advocate Condell Medical Center.

It is being reported that a vehicle was trying to avoid hitting a school bus that veered into its lane when it slid on a snow-covered highway and struck the bus. The school bus involved was from District 73 and was carrying approximately 20 students to Aspen Elementary School. The incident took place around 7:40 AM.

Police are stating that the bus driver may have entered the other driver’s lane to avoid a snow pile. The Vernon Hills Police Department and the Countryside Fire Department responded to the scene of the accident. In addition to the six children transported to the hospital, three kids were treated and released at the scene. Both drivers involved in the Illinois bus crash were reportedly uninjured.

Accidente de autobús de escuela maanda seis niños al hospital

February 23, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Un accidente de autobús en el área de Chicago ha resultado en seis niños heridos y hospitalizados, según el Tribune local. El choque ocurrió el martes por la mañana en Suburbio Norte de Vernon Hills, y todos los niños han sido liberados de Advocate Condell Medical Center.

Se ha reportado que un vehículo estaba tratando de evitar chocar contra un autobús escolar que se desvió en su carril cuando se deslizó en una carretera cubierta de nieve y golpeó al autobús. El autobús escolar involucrado fue del Distrito 73 y llevaba aproximadamente 20 estudiantes de Aspen Elementary Scool. El incidente paso alrededor de las 7:40 AM.

La policía está diciendo que el conductor del autobús puede haber entrado en el carril del otro conductor para evitar una pila de nieve. El Departamento de Policía de Vernon Hills y el Departamento de Bomberos de Countryside respondieron en la escena del accidente. Además de los seis niños transportados al hospital, tres niños fueron atendidos y dados en la escena. Los dos pilotos involucrados en el accidente de autobús de Illinois resultaron ilesos.

Mandated data recorders for truckers could reduce number of Chicago car accidents

February 22, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers hail the government’s long-overdue decision to require data recorders to track hours of service for long-haul truckers.

Fatigued truck drivers are a significant danger throughout Illinois and increase the risk of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 380,000 large trucks were involved in accidents in 2008, claiming more than 4,000 lives and injuring 90,000.For decades, the government has relied upon a system of hand-written log books to enforce hours-of-service regulations. The rules limit the hours per day and per week that a trucker can remain behind the wheel. When combined with the fact that truckers are typically paid by the mile — and therefore make the most money for traveling the furthest distance in the shortest amount of time — the antiquated system has become a mockery that is ripe for abuse and routinely exposes innocent motorists to exhausted drivers barreling down the highway in 80,000 pound tractor trailers.

“We cannot protect our roadways when commercial truck and bus companies exceed hours-of-service rules,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This proposal would make our roads safer by ensuring that carriers traveling across state lines are using EOBRs to track the hours their drivers spend behind the wheel.”

The electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) are in use by several carriers nationwide and can be mandated for truckers or trucking companies that are found in violation of hours-of-service rules. But the new regulations will mandate the recorders for 500,000 carriers nationwide. Violations could result in a fine of up to $11,000.

“This proposal is an important step in our efforts to raise the safety bar for commercial carriers and drivers,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “We believe broader use of EOBRs would give carriers and drivers an effective tool to strengthen their HOS compliance.”

Safety organizations — including Road Safe America, which was founded by parents who lost their child in an accident with a tractor-trailer, have been pushing for the move for years.

The organization is now encouraging the government to use the data recorders in conjunction with mechanical speed-limiters, saying the two issues go hand-in-hand.
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Pair of Chicago car accidents caused by night train parked in crossing

February 18, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A pair of Chicago car accidents occurred in the pre-dawn darkness Monday morning when two vehicles slammed into a pitch-black train blocking a crossing without lights, gates or other warning signals, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have reported on the high risk motorists in Illinois face at the state’s railroad crossings. As we reported earlier this year here on our Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, Chicago train accidents increased last year.Seventy-six crashes with trains were reported during the first nine months of last year, claiming 17 lives and injuring dozens of others. We reported earlier this year on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that Illinois is under federal mandate to improve safety at railroad crossings.

That federal smackdown came after nearly 100 people were killed at 855 railroad crossing accidents in Illinois between 2006 and 2008.

In this case, the black train was stopped across a dark and quiet intersection. Motorists reportedly had no warning when, shortly after 3 a.m., first one car, then a second car approaching from the opposite direction, slammed into the train. The crash occurred in the 9000 block of South Halsted Street. Four people were injured.

The Federal Railroad Administration said the automated gates and warnings were not functioning because of a buildup of road salt. However, nearby residents said the gates have been malfunctioning for weeks.

One victim, who was being treated at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, for injuries to his head, neck, back, shoulders and knee, said he plowed into the train at 35 mph in his Nissan Maxima. He was trying to pry his passenger door open and climb out when he heard the southbound car smash into the train on the other side.
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Par de accidentes de coche en Chicago causados por tren de la noche estacionado en el cruce

February 18, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Un par de accidentes de tráfico en Chicago ocurrieron en la oscuridad antes del amanecer, el lunes por la mañana cuando dos vehículos se estrellarón contra un tren negro bloqueando un cruce sin luces, puertas u otras señales de advertencia, informa el Chicago Tribune.

Nuestros abogados de heridas personales en Chicago han informado sobre los conductores de alto riesgo en el rostro de Illinois en los cruces de ferrocarril del estado. Como se informó a principios de este año aquí en nuestro blog de abogados de heridas personal, los accidentes de tren en Chicago aumentó el año pasado.

Setenta y seis accidentes con trenes fueron reportados durante los primeros nueve meses del año pasado, reclamando 17 vidas e hiriendo a docenas más. Hemos informado a principios de este año en nuestro blog de Abogados en Accidentes Automovilísticos en Chicago que Illinois esta bajo de mandato federal para mejorar la seguridad en los cruces de ferrocarril.

Conducta agresiva del camino termina en disparo de peaton después de un accidente en Chicago, informa la policía.

February 17, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Un accidente de peaton en Chicago ha llegado a un caso fatal de conducta agresiva del camino en el lado oeste de la ciudad de Chicago, informa el Chicago Tribune.

Los medios informan que el peatón de 20 años de edad, fue disparado y matado después de ser atropellado por un automóvil en la cuadra 700 de South California Avenue, y luego discutir con el conductor. La víctima fue encontrada en South Sacramento Avenue poco antes de las 9am.

La policía dice que la víctima fue golpeado y derribado por un vehículo que pasa. No estaba herido de gravedad y al parecer comenzó a discutir con el conductor, quien salió del vehículo y le disparó. Fue llevado a John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital de Cook County, donde fue declarado muerto.

La policía no ha publicado información sobre el sospechoso.

Hay una gran diferencia entre rabia del camino, que por lo general implica un acto criminal, y la conducción agresiva, de que todos somos culpables en algún momento. El National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reconoce muchas formas de manejo agresivo, incluyendo exceso de velocidad, conducir demasiado rápido para las condiciones, fiestas, y no usar luces de giro.

En lo que el invierno sigue, nuestros abogados de heridas personales en Chicago recuerdan a los automovilistas que respiran profundo y se relajen. La impaciencia conduce accidentes y da todo tipo de malas decisiones de manejo.

El gobierno ofrece una serie de consejos de seguridad para hacer frente a los conductores agresivos, incluyendo:

No fuerza el problema: Salga fuera del camino de un conductor agresivo.

No desafía: Ponga su orgullo a un lado. No trate de mantener su propia o de otra manera recusar a un conductor agresivo.

-Mantenga sus ojos en el camino: no haga contacto visual con un conductor agresivo. Esto a veces puede aumentar la agresividad.

-Mantenga las manos a ti mismo: Los gestos deben ser ignoradas y no deben ser devueltos.

-Póngase en contacto con las autoridades: un conductor agresivo es tan peligroso como un conductor borracho y debe ser reportado a las autoridades a través de 911 tan pronto como sea seguro para un conductor hacerlo.

Consejos de seguridad de conducción agresiva en Chicago están disponibles aquí.
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Road Rage ends in shooting of pedestrian after Chicago accident, police report

February 17, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago pedestrian accident has reportedly led to a fatal case of road rage on the city’s West Side, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The media is reporting the 20-year-old pedestrian was shot and killed after being struck by a car in the 700 block of South California Avenue, and then arguing with the driver. The victim was found on South Sacramento Avenue shortly before 9 a.m.Police say the victim was struck and knocked to the ground by a passing vehicle. He was not seriously hurt and reportedly began arguing with the driver, who then climbed out of the vehicle and shot him. He was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was pronounced dead.

Police have not released information about the suspect.

There is a big difference between Road Rage, which typically involves a criminal act, and aggressive driving, which we are all guilty of at some point in time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes many forms of aggressive driving, including speeding, driving too fast for conditions, tailgating, not using turn signals and driving too fast for conditions.

As winter wears on, our Chicago personal injury lawyers remind motorists to take a deep breath and relax. Impatience too often leads to accidents and can lead to all sorts of poor driving decisions.

The government offers a number of safety tips for dealing with aggressive drivers, including:

-Don’t force the issue: Get out of an aggressive driver’s way.

-Don’t challenge: Put your pride aside. Don’t attempt to hold your own or otherwise challenge an aggressive driver.

-Keep your eyes on the road: Don’t make eye contact with an aggressive driver. This can sometimes increase the aggression.

-Keep your hands to yourself: Gestures should be ignored and should not be returned.

-Contact authorities: An aggressive driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver and should be reported to authorities via 911 as soon as it is safe for a driver to pull over and do so.

Chicago aggressive driving safety tips are available here.
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Chicago hit-and-run pedestrian accident – taxi driver flees scene – victim looking for help

February 16, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a woman that was hit by a taxicab on February 12, 2011 in front of 3209 N. Halsted Street. The cab driver never stopped to help her and fled the scene of the accident.

The pedestrian victim, a woman from the North Side, had just been dropped off by another taxicab at the time. As her taxi pulled away, she was immediately struck by another cab passing by that was white in color. While there were several witnesses to the accident, no one was able to take down the cab number or license plate.

Our client remembers nothing immediately after the accident, was knocked unconscious and woke up over three hours later at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She sustained head, neck and back injuries in the accident. She is also experiencing severe headaches, facial bruising and left leg swelling. She was kept in the hospital for two days after the incident.

Emanuel would add 100 miles of cycling trails, reduce Chicago bicycle accidents

February 14, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel has a plan to expand Chicago’s bicycle network that would reduce the number of Chicago bicycle accidents and give the city 100 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of his first term, the Sun-Times reported.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have reported on the great strides made in turning the area into one of the nation’s best cycling cities. Still, bicycle accidents remain a real threat to the health and safety of those who cycle for fun, transportation or fitness.The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 1,460 Chicago bicycle accidents occurred in 2009, claiming 5 lives and injuring nearly 1,400.

Emanuel’s plan includes the creation of the Bloomingdale Trail — a $75 million, 2.65-mile trail built along Bloomingdale Avenue for cyclists traveling downtown and for school children traveling to one of the dozen schools nearby. He also wants to require downtown buildings to offer bike storage. A similar law has been passed in New York City and was successful in increasing the number of commuter cyclists.

NYC’s plan included adding 200 miles of bile lanes. Transportation Alternatives reports the improvements increased the average number of daily cyclists to 236,000 — up 28 percent from the 185,000 daily cyclists the previous year.

The number of miles traveled by bike also increased, from 1.4 million to 1.8 million.

Authorities increasingly see cycling as a viable option to reduce congestion. But, while the number of other types of fatal accident has declined in recent years, the increasing popularity of cycling has held fatality numbers constant at between 700 and 800 per year. In 2008, 716 cyclists were killed and more than 52,000 were injured in bicycle accidents nationwide.

Middle-aged men are now the most likely to be killed in a bicycle accident; that age has increased from 32 in 1998 to 41 in 2008. Nearly two-thirds of all bicycle fatalities now involve an adult between the ages of 25 and 64.
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Chicago trip and fall lawyers reach $72,500 premises liability settlement

February 11, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Illinois premises liability attorneys at Abels & Annes have resolved a Cook County personal injury lawsuit for $72,500.

The case arises out of a trip and fall that occurred back on October 9, 2008 at an indoor soccer facility in Chicago. Our client was playing soccer when he tripped and fell over a ridge/bump in the playing surface that was similar to bunched up carpeting approximately 2 inches in height.

The lawsuit alleged that the playing surface should have been flat even and that precautions should have been taken to ensure the surface remained good condition, such as reasonable inspections and repair. Further there were no signs or other warnings posted to notify players of the condition.