Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Chicago injury lawyer reaches uninsured motorist settlement

November 13, 2010 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois auto accident attorney at Abels & Annes has settled an uninsured motorist claim for Chicago resident. The case stemmed from a collision that occurred on December 11, 2009 in the area of 10600 S. LaSalle Street on the South Side.

Our client was driving his 2002 Chevrolet Astro Van eastbound on 106th Street when the defendant failed to stop at a stop sign for northbound traffic on LaSalle Street. The at fault driver drove his 1998 Pontiac Bonneville into the plaintiff’s passenger side door.

The Chicago Police Department handled the crash investigation. The investigating officer took statements from both sides and placed the defendant at fault.

Illinois pedestrian accident claims life of Joliet woman

November 12, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago area pedestrian vs. car accident has claimed the life of the 58-year-old Joliet woman. She was struck and killed while out on her morning walk early Thursday morning, according to Tribune Local in Joliet. The collision occurred around 6:45 AM as the pedestrian was crossing N. Larkin Ave. in the area of Mayfield Avenue on the west side of Joliet.

At that time a 23-year-old male driver in a pickup truck collided with her, according to a spokesperson from the Joliet Police Department. The driver was not cited after the accident, however the case is still under investigation. It is being reported that neither drugs, alcohol and/or speeding played a role in the accident.

The motorist was northbound on Larkin at the time of the collision. The victim was rushed by ambulance to Provina Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet where she was pronounced dead within hours of the accident.

Chicago pedestrian accident – police searching for hit and run driver

November 11, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public’s help in tracking down a hit-and-run driver who was involved in an Illinois pedestrian accident on Monday evening around 10:15 PM. The incident occurred when a driver cut through a gas station on the southwest side to avoid a traffic light, according to WGN news. As the driver was cutting through he hit a pedestrian and then fled the scene.

The accident occurred in the 6200 block of S. California Ave., which is considered part of the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. The victim was about to enter his minivan on the driver side when he was struck by a red SUV heading northbound. The hit and run vehicle also had a roof rack.

Anyone with information regarding the accident and/or the identity of the at fault driver is being asked to contact the Chicago Police Department immediately at 312-745-4521.

Safe Routes to School survey aims to reduce Chicago pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, school bus accidents

November 10, 2010 | By Dave Abels

We encourage parents to take the Safe Routes to School survey offered by the Chicago Department of Transportation as safety advocates attempt to reduce the risk of Chicago bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and school bus accidents.

Our Chicago child injury lawyers frequently talk about the dangers children face — traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for kids ages 3 to 14, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. State traffic statistics show that more than 5,500 kids under the age of 14 were injured in traffic accidents last year. Illinois pedestrian accidents injured nearly 1,000 students, while bicycle accidents injured nearly 700.

Many students choose to walk or bike to school. In other cases, they walk or ride a bicycle to a bus stop. Tragically, many Chicago school bus accidents occur to bicyclists or pedestrians who are preparing to load or unload from a school bus. Last year, a total of 1,537 Illinois school bus accidents were reported. Two people were killed and 482 were injured, including 78 bus drivers and 164 bus passengers.

As winter weather approaches, now is a good time to remind your child about the importance of bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as school bus safety.

Here you can find more information on Illinois’ Safe Routes to School program.

The Chicago Safe Routes to School Survey is available here.
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End of daylight savings time increases risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents, car accidents during afternoon commute

November 9, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The end of daylight savings time over the weekend can lead to an increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents and other traffic accidents during the afternoon commute, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While Chicago car accidents are always a concern during the morning and afternoon commute, it is the often serious or fatal injuries caused by pedestrian accidents that has safety advocates most concerned as the clocks go back an hour and darkness comes to the evening commute.Last year, 4,092 pedestrians were killed and more than 59,000 were injured. The government reports that 25 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents occur between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. Another 13 percent occur in the hours around dawn. As drivers get used to once again commuting home in the dark, there may be an increased chance of distraction and a greater risk of involvement in all types of traffic accidents, including pedestrian and bicycle accidents.

Motorists are being urged to use extra caution and pedestrians are encouraged to carry flashlights and use reflective tape or other visible gear.

Other safety tips for motorists and pedestrians include:

MOTORISTS -Slow down. Less light means a greater reaction time is necessary to see a pedestrian in your path.
-Remember pedestrians may not hear your approach, especially if wearing hats or earmuffs.
-Keep windows and mirrors clean. Make sure defrosters and windshield wipers are in good working order and make sure your windshield wiper fluid is filled and working properly.

PEDESTRIANS -Carry a flashlight and/or use reflective tape to make yourself more visible.
-Don’t rely on traffic lights or signals to keep you safe. Make sure the path is clear before proceeding.
-Don’t jaywalk or cross the street between parked cars –use crosswalks whenever possible.
-Walk on the sidewalk.
-Walk facing traffic.
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Talking to older motorists about driving safety can help reduce risks of Chicago car accidents

November 8, 2010 | By Dave Abels

As the winter driving season rapidly approaches, it’s a good time to reassess the driving ability of parents and older adults as we work to reduce the chances an aging loved one is involved in a Chicago car accident.

The USA Today reports on the growing challenge for an increasing number of Baby Boomers, who want to both keep a parent safe and respect his or her freedom and independence.Our Chicago injury lawyers have reported here before on the risk faced by older drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the number of aging drivers has increased more than 20 percent in the last decade to more than 30 million.

Typically an older adult who is not in denial about his or her abilities will take steps to mitigate the dangers, often limiting themselves to daytime driving or choosing to walk more frequently. This is no guarantee that they will not be involved in a serious or fatal accident. In 2008, some 183,000 seniors were injured in traffic accidents and 1 in 5 fatal pedestrian accidents involved someone over the age of 65. Most accidents (80 percent) occurred during the day and on weekdays (72 percent).

Meanwhile, safety experts and those who have already dealt with the issue say not waiting until the last minute offers a family the chance to do a better job of planning. Perhaps an aging parent can downsize to a condominium on the bus line, for example, or explore some of the assisted living options that still permit independent living.

It is an issue that is cropping up in living rooms across the country as the Baby Boomers hit retirement age. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that about 1 in 10 Americans were over the age of 70 in 2000. By 2040, that number is expected to increase to 1 in 5.

While older drivers have fewer crashes, they also drive less. Per mile traveled, crash rates increase at age 70 and rise significantly after age 80.

Safety advocates agree that parents and children should begin to have the conversation years or even decades before it counts. When a parent begins to talk about retirement, a child may bring up the conversation. In such a non-threatening time and place, both parent and child can talk about the issues, the warning signs and what to do when that time arises.

The federal government offers a variety of safety resources for older Illinois drivers, including:

-How to understand and influence older drivers.

-Adapting motor vehicles to older drivers.

-Driving safely while aging gracefully.

-Talking with older drivers.

-Screening and evaluation.

-Medications and older drivers.
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Illinois semi truck accident results in death of woman on Ill. 394

November 7, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A woman is been killed in a Chicago area truck vs. car accident that occurred on Wednesday morning at the intersection of Illinois Route 394 and Steger Rd. in Crete, Illinois, according to NBC news. A tractor-trailer truck that was carrying livestock was moving south on 394 when it collided with a car that was eastbound on Steger. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that witnesses to the accident are saying that the truck failed to stop at a red light and t-boned the car in the intersection.

The driver of the car, a resident of St. John, Indiana, was killed in the accident. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.

Illinois state police handled the crash investigation. nwi.com is reporting that the truck driver was ticketed for disobeying a red light and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The trucker was not injured in the crash.

3 accidentes de tráfico mortales en el área de Chicago por la noche

November 5, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Tres accidentes automovilisticos en el área de Chicago resultaron en tres muertos la noche del jueves y la madrugada del viernes, según la televisión WGN. Los accidentes ocurrieron sólo horas de diferencia.

El primer accidente ocurrió en Interstate 65 al sur de Interstate 80 alrededor de 11:45 P.M. Un conductor de grúa etsba cambiando una llanta en un medio camión cuando un Land Rover choco por detrás al camión. El conductor de la grúa fue aplastado entre su camión y el medio camión.

El conductor de la grúa fue un trabajador de servicio de carretera empleado por una compañía de servicio que fue localizado por el conductor del medio camión. Fue pronunciado muerto en la escena y su identidad no ha sido soltado.

3 deadly car crashes in the Chicago area overnight

November 5, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Three separate Chicago area auto accidents resulted in three deaths late Thursday evening and early Friday morning, according to WGN TV. The crashes all occurred just hours apart.

The first accident occurred on Interstate 65 just South of Interstate 80 around 11:45 PM. A tow truck driver was changing a tire on a semi truck when a Land Rover rear-ended the tow truck. The tow truck driver was crushed between his truck and the semi truck.

The tow truck driver was a highway service worker employed by a service company that was called out by the driver of the semi truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his identity has not been released.

Chicago injury lawyer resolves truck accident lawsuit for $80,000

November 3, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Illinois auto accident attorneys at Abels and Annes have reached a settlement in a Chicago area semi truck versus car crash case on behalf of two plaintiff’s. The lawsuit stems from a collision that occurred on October 19, 2009 just after 9 AM in Bellwood, Illinois.

The claimants, who are brother and sister, were traveling in their 2002 Buick northbound on 25th Street. At that time they stopped for red light at 25th and Madison Street. While they were waiting for the light to change their vehicle was rear-ended by a semi truck.

The Bellwood Police Department responded to the accident. After an investigation they cited the truck driver for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.