Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Many causes of Chicago car accidents besides cell phones and text messaging

January 24, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently report on the dangers of distracted driving and the various countermeasures being implemented by state and local governments to combat those dangers.

Last year, Illinois joined a growing number of states that have outlawed text messaging by drivers. Illinois’ law also makes it illegal to use hand-held cell phones in school zones and construction sites. Hand-held cell phones have been illegal in Chicago for years. Authorities have pushed the measures as a means of reducing the number of serious and fatal car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.Common sense might be on their side. But so far the statistics are not. As we reported previously on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, more motorists died last year statewide (with the texting law in place) than died in 2009 when no statewide law existed. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported 923 motorists were killed on the state’s roads in 2010, compared to 911 in 2009.

Of course there is a lot more going on than the state’s new texting law — the struggling economy has been cited as a primary factor in pushing fatal traffic deaths to levels not seen since the 1920s — the numbers have almost nowhere to go but up.

But, as USA Today recently reported, there is a growing chorus that claims prohibitions against hand-held cell phone use and text messaging are not reducing distracted driving deaths — that, in fact, those deaths may be increasing. Some believe the primary reason is that hands-free cell phones are no safer than hand-held devices. While others think motorists hiding illegal texting activities below the dash actually increase their risk of an accident as their eyes are taken from the road for a longer period of time.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is the largest organization to have vocalized concerns that the government is getting sidetracked on its quest to push states to adopt strict rules against cell phones and text messaging. IIHS President Adrian Lund said distracted driving “is a growing problem in the sense of our recognition of it, but the fact is, it’s always been there.”

Many safety experts contend the data on distracted driving is too new and too unreliable. While there is ample and reliable data on how to prevent serious and fatal injuries from other types of accidents. The USA Today reports that many are unwilling to speak out against Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who has repeatedly bashed the IIHS for tackling the issue last year.

LaHood said last year that the U.S. Department of Transportation is “laser focused on auto safety” and points to a number of initiatives, including a new Five-Star safety rating system and new rules to improve rear visibility in automobiles. Most of the initiatives he mentions were released in a rapid-fire series of public relations moves following IIHS criticism last year.

At the government’s prodding, some 38 states have passed laws banning cell-phone use and or text messaging by drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Eleven of those state enacted laws last year.

Neither the IIHS nor anyone else is contending cell phone use and text messaging make drivers safer behind the wheel. They are just looking for the government’s largest transportation watchdog to emphasize something other than distracted driving and defective Toyotas in 2011.
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Chicago Worker’s Compensation lawyer to represent injured store employee

January 21, 2011 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois work comp attorney at Abels & Annes has agreed to represent a North Side resident who sustained back injuries while working at a large home goods store in July, 2010. The claimant sustaining injuries from lifting heavy objects on a repetitive basis.

After the client got hurt, she underwent treatment with her personal doctor. Over time her pain did not improve, so she also treated with an orthopedic physician in Chicago. An MRI was ordered which showed our client sustained two bulging discs due to the heavy lifting at work.

In a work injury case such as this one, our office will work to ensure that the claimant continues to receive medical treatment as needed, that she receives temporary total disability pay for time off work if warranted, and at the end of the case we will negotiate a bodily injury settlement on her behalf.

Chicago pedestrian accident attorney to represent local resident hit by taxi

January 19, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Illinois personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have signed on to represent a client who was injured in a taxicab versus pedestrian accident that occurred in downtown Chicago on January 14. Our client was walking across the intersection of Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive within a marked crosswalk and with a green walk sign. At that time, a taxi driver turned right on a red light and failed to yield to our client. The cab ran over the pedestrian’s foot causing injuries.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the accident. After an investigation, a police officer determined the cab driver was at fault and issued him a citation for failing to yield to a pedestrian crosswalk. The defendant is scheduled to appear in traffic court at the Daley Center in early February.

Our client was seen after the accident at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital emergency room. X-rays taken were negative for fractures and at this time the extent of her internal foot injuries are still unknown. She is scheduled to see a medical doctor for further care.

Chicago car crash lawyer files lawsuit in Lake County, Illinois

January 18, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Chicago injury lawyers from Abels & Annes, working with co-counsel from the Elman law group, have filed a lawsuit stemming from an accident that occurred in Waukegan, Illinois in February, 2010. The collision took place in a parking lot on Pioneer Street just after 6 PM in the evening. We represent two passengers that were injured in the accident.

The plaintiffs were sitting in a parked Pontiac Bonneville in the lot. At that time the defendant, who was driving a Toyota Solara, quickly backed out of another spot and struck the vehicle our clients were sitting in.

The Waukegan Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. At that time the defendant admitted that when he was backing out he failed to judge the distance correctly and struck the other vehicle.

Fewer Chicago car accidents last year but Illinois among states to post increase in traffic fatalities

January 15, 2011 | By Dave Abels

The National Safety Council reports Illinois was one of a number of states to see an increase in the number of fatal accidents last year, in a year where the numbers continued to trend downward.

Our Chicago accident attorneys reported recently on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that 129 fatal car accidents had occurred within the city at the start of the New Year weekend, compared to 141 during the same period a year ago. But the 916 fatalities reported statewide had surpassed the 911 reported during all of 2009.2009 reported the fewest number of fatal Illinois traffic accidents in nearly a century of reporting.

The NSC reported 861 fatal accidents in Illinois through the end of November, compared to 847 during the same period in 2009 and 934 in the same period of 2008.

However, the Chicago-based safety organization reports the overall number of nationwide traffic fatalities decreased by 4 percent during the first 11 months of last year, from 33,180 in 2009 to 31,740 in 2010.

We have reported that the downward trending fatality statistics are likely to begin increasing again with the economic recovery. Fewer people working and fewer people traveling has been largely responsible for fewer fatal accidents since the start of the Great Recession.

Besides Illinois, other states that saw an increase in fatalities through November included Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Nationwide, more than 3.1 million people were seriously injured in traffic accidents through the first 11 months of last year. The estimated cost of accidents, including deaths and injuries, was $216.5 billion — a 12 percent increase over 2009.
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Chicago bicycle accident lawyer to represent local resident

January 11, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Illinois bike accident attorneys at Abels and Annes have signed on to represent a Chicago woman who was recently injured on the North Side. The collision occurred as our client was riding her bike in a Northwest direction on Milwaukee Avenue in a designated bicycle lane. At that time the driver of a Cadillac Deville made a right turn onto Milwaukee Avenue, failed to observe the plaintiff, and struck her.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the accident scene. After interviewing the parties, they placed the Cadillac driver at fault for the accident.

Our client sustained injuries to her face, right arm and right ankle. After the accident she was taken to St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital’s emergency room for treatment. In the days following the accident, her pain did not resolve on its own and she has since sought treatment with an orthopedic physician in Chicago.

Chicago fairs well in pedestrian accident study – serious and fatal walking accidents still a danger

January 9, 2011 | By Dave Abels

The number of Chicago pedestrian accidents ranked the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area 41st most-dangerous in a new study detailing the nation’s 52 deadliest areas for pedestrian accidents, which was conducted by Transportation for America.

It was a good showing for the area, where our Chicago injury lawyers frequently discuss the high rates of serious or fatal pedestrian accidents. The fact that 41 areas of the country are more dangerous illustrates the scope of the problem.

Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 4,000 people are killed and 69,000 are injured in pedestrian accidents each year. Illinois pedestrian accidents killed 111 people last year and injured more than 5,000. One in 5 fatal pedestrian accidents claimed a victim over the age of 65.

Each year, Chicago pedestrian accidents account for about half of the state’s total. In 2008, the Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 52 people were killed and 3,225 were injured in Chicago pedestrian accidents.

Last year’s top five most-dangerous areas for walking were Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville and Memphis. In the past 15 years, more than 76,000 people have been killed while walking the streets of their communities. In the past decade, more than 43,000 — including nearly 4,000 children under the age of 16 — have lost their lives.

The organization recommends reducing pedestrian accidents through a variety of means, including:

-Traffic calming and street design.

-Complete Streets, a program that includes reducing speeds and taking into account the needs of all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.

-Safe Routes to School programs.

-Walkable neighborhoods.
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Man receives three-year sentence for involvement in Illinois hit-and-run accident

January 8, 2011 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois hit-and-run accident has led to a three-year sentence for man from Minooka, according to the Chicago Tribune. The defendant struck an Illinois state trooper who was involved in a traffic stop in April, 2010 on Interstate 80 in Kendall County. After the collision, the defendant fled the scene.

The 37-year-old motorist hit the trooper at the Ridge Road exit ramp getting off Interstate 80 traveling at an excessive speed, according to a representative from the Kendall County States Attorney’s Office.

After the accident, the defendant did not report the incident to authorities and days later he relocated the car to a parking lot on the west side of Chicago. During the crash investigation, police learned the make and model of the vehicle from debris left at the site. They were then somehow able to identify a passenger in the vehicle, who then identified the Minooka resident as the driver.

Chicago pedestrian accidents, car accidents, increase at railroad crossings in 2010

January 6, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Chicago pedestrian accidents at railway crossing and Illinois train accidents both increased last year, the Chicago Tribune reported.The Illinois Department of Transportation also reports the number of fatal Illinois traffic accidents increased, although there were fewer Chicago car accidents. There were 128 fatal accidents in Chicago last year, compared to 141 in 2009. Statewide figures have not yet been released, but 916 motorists were killed through Dec. 29 last year, compared to 911 who lost their lives in 2009.

The Illinois Commerce Commission reports 17 fatalities occurred at railroad crossings from January to November last year and 10 pedestrians were killed after being hit by trains. Those numbers reverse a recent decline in accidents involving trains in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.

Fifteen motorists were killed by trains in 2008, compared to 16 in 2007 and 18 in 2006. The 10 pedestrian fatalities is the most since 12 were killed in 2007.

Injury accidents involving trains also increased last year. Seventy-six were reported in the first nine months of the year, compared to 80 in all of 2009. More than 125 were reported in both 2007 and 2008.

In response, officials launched a public service announcement this week entitled “Where’s the Best Man,” which depicts a member of a wedding party who is killed trying to beat a train across the tracks.

Our Chicago injury lawyers reported earlier this year that Illinois is under federal mandate to improve railroad crossing safety. Between 2006 and 2008 a total of 98 people were killed in Chicago railroad crossing accidents — 588 were killed across Illinois.

The state is one of 10 states that must submit a plan by August to address railroad crossing safety.
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Chicago work injury lawyer reaches settlement

January 5, 2011 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois workers’ compensation attorney at Abels & Annes has reached a settlement on behalf of of an employee that was injured in January 2010. The claimant was working in an auto parts store in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago when he sustained back injuries while lifting heavy brake parts.

Shortly after the work injury was sustained, our client was seen at the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital emergency room for medical treatment.

Over the next several days, the claimant’s pain increased. Soon he sought further medical care with an orthopedic physician in Chicago. After limited improvement in therapy, his doctor ordered an MRI scan which detected a protruding disc.