Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Teens Injured in Chicago Car Crash

March 18, 2022 | By Dave Abels

Car accidents, whether minor or deadly, can have catastrophic consequences for both the driver and anyone else involved. When a teenager, or multiple teens, are involved in the accident, it may be traumatic for them and impact their future. Most people assume that teenagers are most often involved in car crashes because they are the most inexperienced drivers; however, this is not always the case. Statistics show that while teenagers do not drive as often as other age groups, their risk of fatality in car accidents is higher. Below are statistics and other information about teenage car accidents.

Recently in Chicago, two teenagers were injured after a car crashed into a building. A car was traveling when the driver lost control and crashed into a building. The driver then hit two parked cars and then hit two teenagers who were standing on the sidewalk. One teenager suffered multiple injuries and was taken to the hospital where he was stabilized. The other teen injured her arm and was in good condition when transferred to the hospital.

Illinois and National Teenage Car Accidents and Fatalities

Rear-End Collision Causes Death in Chicago Rideshare Accident

March 8, 2022 | By Dave Abels

Especially in cities like Chicago, using a rideshare vehicle can be an accessible and easy alternative to driving. However, as rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber continue to grow in popularity, unfortunately, rideshare accidents tend to increase as well. When someone is injured while in a rideshare collision—whether the accident is the fault of the rideshare vehicle or another driver—people often wonder if they are still able to bring a lawsuit against the responsible party. In these cases, people can still bring a personal injury lawsuit, although there are a few extra factors to take into account.

Recently in Chicago, a man died after a rollover crash on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. According to a local news report, the deceased—a passenger in a rideshare vehicle—was ejected from the vehicle when another driver of a car rear-ended the rideshare car. The vehicle flipped on its side and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Because rideshare applications are still a recently new trend, there is little data on how many accidents in Illinois involve a rideshare vehicle. Despite this, when someone is injured in a rideshare, they are still able to bring a personal injury lawsuit. The plaintiff—the individual bringing the lawsuit—will need to prove that the individual who caused the accident, the defendant, owed a duty to them to drive carefully. Unlike the case above, when the rideshare driver causes the accident, this is an easier burden to prove. The plaintiff can allege that they trusted the rideshare driver to safely take them to their destination, and but for the driver’s actions, the plaintiff would not have been injured. The question, however, is whether the driver was legally “negligent” and whether their negligence was the cause of the accident victim’s injuries.

Chicago Accidents Caused by Red Light Violations

November 12, 2021 | By Dave Abels

Red light and other traffic violations are some of the most dangerous types of driving maneuvers. This negligent conduct leads to numerous Illinois car accidents every year. Motorists who violate traffic signals and red lights may face significant civil and criminal charges, depending on the circumstances that led to their negligent conduct. While these accidents can cause harm on any roadway, it is particularly dangerous in urban and crowded areas such as Chicago.

For instance, local news reports recently described a harrowing Chicago accident involving a red light violation. According to reports, a 26-year-old man driving a Chrysler ran a red light, crossed into an intersection, and slammed into a 23-year-old driver who had a passenger in his vehicle. The impact caused the Chrysler to spin and slam into a 52-year-old pedestrian. Residents tried to help the woman; however, the impact severed a gas line, preventing residents from saving her. The woman’s husband ran out of his home to try and save her; however, she died from her injuries. The 23-year-old man got himself and the baby out of his vehicle through the sunroof, and he was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The Chrysler driver fled the scene of the accident, but police later apprehended him.

Establishing civil negligence is a critical part of any case involving traffic violations. Even in cases where a driver receives a citation or ticket, the plaintiff must still meet all of the elements of a negligence claim. Certain types of evidence can bolster a victim’s claims and aid in establishing the extent of losses and damages. Some pieces of evidence in a Chicago accident case may include:

Chicago Crash Caused by Speeding Driver Kills One, Injures Three

October 18, 2021 | By Dave Abels

Excessive speed is one of the most common causes of fatal Illinois car accidents, as vehicles traveling substantially over the posted speed limit are more difficult to control, placing law-abiding drivers in serious jeopardy of injury or death. If excessive speed is the cause or a contributing factor in an Illinois car accident, the at-fault driver can be held accountable for the damages through an Illinois personal injury lawsuit. A local news report discusses a recent speed-related Chicago car accident involving four vehicles that left at least three people injured and one dead.

High-Speed Results in Dangerous Consequences

According to the news report, the early morning accident was triggered by the driver of a Chrysler 300 who was traveling at an excessive rate of speed in the northbound lanes and struck another vehicle. After the initial collision, the Chrysler spun into the southbound lanes and was hit by two additional vehicles. Paramedics were called to the scene, where the driver of the Chrysler was pronounced dead, and three other individuals were transported to local hospitals with minor to serious injuries.

Deadly Illinois Car Crash Blamed on Reckless Driving

September 22, 2021 | By Dave Abels

Although most drivers know to exercise additional caution when navigating busy city traffic, Chicago car accidents still take place on a daily basis. Sometimes, even the utmost of caution from a careful driver can result in a deadly car accident if others are driving recklessly or carelessly. When these accidents take place, those who fail to operate according to the rules of the road should be held accountable for their actions.

According to a recent local news report, a deadly crash took place on a local expressway that left a 32-year-old Chicago man dead and two other individuals hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Local authorities noted that a witness saw a reckless driver speeding on the expressway prior to the crash.

Speeding on the expressway, according to recent data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, has increased by nearly 10 percent this year as compared to the previous year. For example, in the last year, the agency reported a 10 percent increase in fatalities from crashes, an 11 percent increase in speeding citations, and a six percent increase in DUI citations.

Staying Safe After an Illinois Car Accident

August 27, 2021 | By Dave Abels

After a Chicago car accident, parties usually exchange information so that everyone is on the same page and insurance and other claims can be filed. Some people assume, however, that just because the accident is over, that the danger associated with being on the road is over. Before exchanging information, it is crucial that you and the other party or parties involved in your accident move your vehicles and yourselves to a different location, assuming this is possible. Otherwise, you may be at risk of getting hit by a passing car.

According to a local news report, a three-car accident left four people injured, including two children. A Mazda SUV was traveling south when it struck a Cadillac sedan, authorities reported. The Cadillac then crashed into a Ford, which was carrying two children, ages one and three. Both children were transported to the hospital, with one in fair to serious condition and the other in serious to critical condition. Following the initial accident, two adults were standing near the Cadillac exchanging information when they were struck by the Mazda. Both adults were transported to a local hospital, with one in fair to serious condition and the other in serious to critical condition. The accident remains under investigation.

Following an accident, once the dust settles and the initial shock wears off, it is crucial that you remain vigilant. The first thing that you should do if your accident is obstructing the road, is to see if you can get out of the path of active traffic. Although there are a number of things that drivers should do following an accident, safety is still number one. You can get the other party or parties’ insurance and contact information after you are safely out of the way.

Filing an Chicago Wrongful Death Claim Against a Negligent Truck Driver

May 18, 2021 | By Dave Abels

Accidents involving a truck or freightliner can often have devastating consequences to other drivers. In some scenarios, these accidents may even result in death or irreversible injury. Victims of fatal truck crashes, as well as their families, can seek compensation from truck drivers through a Chicago truck accident lawsuit. In a situation where a family loses a loved one, these lawsuits are called wrongful death lawsuits, and allow the families of the deceased to seek financial compensation from the party responsible for the accident. In some cases, a negligent driver’s employer can also be held liable. Although bringing a wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring a loved one back, the financial compensation available through these claims may help the family as they emotionally recover and as they assess their future finances and sources of income.

According to a recent news report, an Illinois truck accident resulted in the death of two people, while three others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. A truck carrying automotive batteries failed to reduce its speed on the highway, and, because of this, struck three other vehicles. The freightliner and these other vehicles became fully engulfed in flames and damaged two other nearby cars. A driver and passenger of one of the cars were killed in the accident.

In situations like the one above, the families of those killed in the truck accident can bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party, in this case, the truck driver. In Illinois, according to the Wrongful Death Act, a plaintiff must prove the death of their loved one was caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another person. The plaintiff bringing the case must be the victim’s surviving spouse or next of kin, and they will be the ones to receive any amount recovered from the defendant.

What to Do After a Chicago Hit and Run Accident

March 16, 2021 | By Dave Abels

Hit and run accidents can often be extremely traumatic. Not only has a person been in an accident, but the responsible party also fled the scene. Because of this, individuals are often confused about what to do next and how to pursue compensation for their injuries. Although Chicago hit and run crashes should be treated like regular car accidents – in that the plaintiff still needs to prove they were not at fault – there are actions that potential plaintiffs and their attorneys should take after they have been in a hit and run crash.

Attempt to Identify the Driver

Although it is often difficult to find the driver in a hit and run, an individual can increase their chances of finding the responsible party if they write down relevant information directly after the crash. This is because they are likely to remember the accident best at that moment. Information that could help a police investigation includes: the license plate and make and model of the other vehicle; any damage sustained by the other vehicle; which direction the other vehicle was headed; photos of the damage to the vehicle; and the location, date, and time of the accident.

Car Accidents in Chicago Winter Weather

February 16, 2021 | By Dave Abels

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) periodically compiles reports regarding the rate and circumstances surrounding accidents in the state. Most recent statistics indicate that Chicago car accidents can result in serious injuries to drivers, pedestrians, and bystanders. The IDOT reports that most fatal accidents occur on dry roadways; however, this may be related to the lower number of drivers on the road during inclement weather.

Despite the statistics, it is clear that winter weather conditions pose significant hazards to motorists. For example, a recent news report described a harrowing accident that involved a driver skidding on ice. According to police, a 42-year-old driver was driving her SUV when she skidded while turning east. The SUV slammed into a curb and flipped over, colliding into a fence before finally stopping. Two of the passengers were taken to a hospital, and two other passengers refused medical treatment.

It may be unrealistic to expect Illinois residents to avoid commuting in winter weather conditions. However, drivers should understand the different types of weather and how to adjust their driving to accommodate the conditions. Long and harsh winters involve cold temperatures, strong winds, ice, snow, and foggy conditions. Cold fronts, especially when temperatures dip below freezing, can affect how a car operates. During these times, tire pressure can fluctuate, and fuel efficiency can vary. Drivers should ensure that their tire pressure is at the appropriate level and their fuel tanks are filled. Strong winds can cause a vehicle to sway and become harder to maneuver. Similarly, icy conditions can make a vehicle harder to control, especially, when black ice is involved. Finally, snow can cover lanes and traffic signs, causing drivers to enter wrong lanes or ramps, inadvertently.

Illinois Pedestrian Killed After Driver Fails to Yield the Right of Way

November 1, 2020 | By Dave Abels

Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries and fatalities

With social distancing measures remaining in place, more pedestrians than ever have been heading outdoors to enjoy the weather while it lasts. As a result, motorists need to also exercise more caution while driving, as pedestrians are often out at all hours walking, running, or biking around local neighborhoods. Most people know that when a pedestrian and a driver operating a vehicle are sharing the road, pedestrians get right of way. However, when drivers are negligent or purposely don’t yield to pedestrians and cause serious injuries or even death, they can be held accountable for their actions through a Chicago car accident lawsuit.

In a recent news report, a man was hit and killed by a semi-trailer truck at an intersection. The driver of the truck was at a red light when the pedestrian was walking between vehicles in the roadway. The truck proceeded through the intersection but was waved down by multiple witnesses who told the driver that the pedestrian was hit by the rear passenger-side tires of his vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and the truck driver was ticketed for a failure to yield. According to local authorities, the investigation is ongoing.