Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
A Friday morning crash in Avondale that left four people seriously injured may have been caused by alcohol and possibly narcotics, according to Chicago police officers.
The crash happened just before 3:00 a.m. near the intersection of Kedzie Avenue and Elston Avenue on the northwest side of Chicago. A 21-year-old was driving a 1995 Honda Accord when he lost control of the vehicle, left the road, and struck a light pole. Authorities believe the car was traveling at a significant speed because upon impact, the car wrapped around the pole and sustained serious damage.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, the vehicle was so damaged that the occupants could not be removed through the doors, forcing the fire department to cut apart the car and remove each of the four occupants.
The driver and another male were taken to Illinois Masonic for their injuries while the two females in the car were taken to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital. The driver was in critical condition and all four passengers appear to have suffered head and other injuries.
After conducting an investigation, police officers believe that alcohol and possibly narcotics played a part in the one-car crash and charges are now pending against the driver of the vehicle.
Drunk drivers who cause their passengers to be injured may also face civil claims including lawsuits for injuries and damages. Many people do not realize that if they are in the car with a person who causes their injuries, a claim can still be made.
In accidents like the one described above, most insurance companies will provide coverage to the three passengers so that they can recover for all of their damages, including medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any other expenses they incur. This can be very important to keep in mind because according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one in every seven nighttime weekend drivers are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are a danger to themselves as well as their passengers and everyone else on the road. The law in Illinois presumes that drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or greater are under the influence of alcohol but drivers can be cited for a lower alcohol amount if they are affected by alcohol while driving. The legal limits for certain drivers are even lower than 0.08 so it is important to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer if you have been injured in a collision. For example, bus drivers and drivers under the age of 21 are not allowed any alcohol in their system and those with a commercial drivers license face a limit of 0.04.
If you have been injured by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may have a claim against the driver and their insurance company for your damages, including your injuries and medical bills. Call the Chicago DUI injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free consultation regarding the facts of your case and what type of claims you may have. We will help you get a recovery you deserve for your injuries and we will fight for your rights. Call us today at (312) 924-7575 or (855) 529-2442 for a no obligation telephone consultation. If you prefer to meet with us in person, we offer free in-home and in-hospital consultations for those too injured to make the trip to our offices.
Prior Blog Entries:
Repeated Building Crashes in Downtown Area Raises Safety Concerns, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 17, 2013.
Illinois Limo Driver Drunk When He Drove 23 Students to Prom, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 16, 2013.
Resources:
4 injured in Avondale crash, Chicago Tribune, published May 17, 2013.