Drivers in Chicago may be surprised to know that every year, vehicles in the city leave the surface of a road and collide with a fixed structure like a building or a house, often leaving those inside the vehicle injured and in some cases, harming those in the structure itself. The causes of these collisions vary from impaired drivers to poorly designed roads and even distractions like texting behind the wheel. Regardless of the underlying cause, though, negligence is often to blame.
When negligence or a mistake on the part of someone involved in a car crash is responsible for a collision that leaves a victim injured, the victim or victims may be entitled to seek relief under the laws of Chicago. This relief can be sought through a civil claim for damages, a type of claim that is separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought by local authorities. In fact, even if an at-fault driver is not ticketed in a collision, a victim of that crash may still be able to recover for his or her injuries. Speaking with a lawyer who represents personal injury victims may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief and, if so, what claim or claims may be available to you.
Police in Chicago were called to the scene of a collision involving one car in the West Pullman neighborhood around 5:15 am. At the scene, officials were able to determine that a car left the roadway near West 119th Street and South Eggleston Avenue, colliding with a corner of a building and coming to a stop inside the structure. The building is believed to have had a glass storefront that broke upon impact with the car.
Three people, including the driver, were inside the vehicle at the time of the incident and all were seriously injured. Paramedics responded to the crash and assessed all three before transporting them to Advocate Christ Medical Center. As of this morning, their conditions were all serious-to-critical; the current state of the victims is not known.
Officials are still trying to determine what caused the collision and whether reckless or negligent conduct played a role. The building was damaged in the crash but fortunately no one inside the building was hurt.
After a car accident, it can feel like no one is on your side. It can be even more difficult to try to determine the legal implications of your crash and what civil liability, if any, exists in your case.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. believe that all injury victims deserve to have someone fighting for their rights and making sure that their interests are protected. We feel so strongly that we offer a free case consultation to all those victims that call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call and there is no obligation on your part for speaking with us.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Chicago that left you injured or that claimed the life of your loved one, make sure you know your options. Call Abels & Annes. P.C. today and let us help you get the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Chicago Car Crash Leaves 2 Adults, 3 Children Injured, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 10, 2014.
Resource:
3 seriously hurt when car hits South Side building, Chicago Tribune, published June 18, 2014.