This claim arose out of a Chicago-area car crash which took place on November 4, 2010 at approximately 7:59 a.m.
The plaintiff was driving northbound in his GMC truck on Harlem Avenue approaching Route 83 in Palos Heights, Illinois. The defendant was driving a Mitsubishi gallant, also northbound on Harlem Avenue approaching Route 83, directly behind our client when he came to a stop in traffic. The defendant then failed to stop or slow her vehicle and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle. The front of the at fault driver’s vehicle struck the rear of our client’s vehicle. The force of the impact pushed his car forward.
The Palos Heights Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After interviewing the parties, they placed the defendant at fault in their report.
We alleged to the defendant’s insurance company that their insured failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or slow down for traffic, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiff.
Following the incident the client had an immediate onset of neck, back, and chest pain. He was taken from the scene of the occurrence by ambulance to Palos Community Hospital‘s Emergency Department. A history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed.
There he underwent X-rays to his cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, thoracic spine, and chest, as well as a CT scan of his chest and an echocardiogram. He was diagnosed with cervical, back, and neck strain. He also received a cardiology consultation and was diagnosed with chest pain due to musculoskeletal chest discomfort. He was prescribed muscle relaxants and pain medication, instructed to follow up with a physician, and discharged.
The plaintiff followed up with a physician on November 10, 2010. He complained of pain in his lumbar back, pain in his hips into his mid dorsal area, as well as pain in his cervical spine. He struggled with daily activities, including rising from a seated position. He also had headaches and sharp pain across the left side of his chest at the seatbelt site. There was a small bruise on his lumbar area. The doctor diagnosed him with muscle inflammation and instructed him to follow up in three weeks.
Our client returned to the physician on December 1, 2010. He continued to complain of pain and spasms to his lumbar area, pain at his mid dorsal area, and pain across his chest. He obtained minimal relief from his muscle relaxants and pain medication. Additionally, he was having trouble sleeping as his pain prevented him from resting comfortably. The doctor prescribed a course of physical therapy and instructed him to follow up in six weeks.
Per his physician’s instructions, the client engaged in physical therapy at Palos Community Hospital’s Physical/Occupational Therapy Division beginning on December 7, 2010. He had pain with activites of daily life, like rising from a seated position, getting out of a car, and walking more than ten feet. His pain was made worse with bending, lifting, sitting, standing, walking, coughing, sneezing, and turning his neck and back. Additionally, he could not pick up his granddaughter because of his injuries. He engaged in seventeen (17) sessions of physical therapy and was discharged on February 8, 2011.
The plaintiff followed up with his doctor again on March 7, 2011 and again on April 18, 2011. While he received some relief from physical therapy, he was still in pain and having troubling sleeping. The physician prescribed valium for him on April 18, 2011, and provided follow up care on May 23, 2011 and June 13, 2011, at which time he was discharged.
As a result of the collision, the claimant struggled with daily tasks. He could not sit, stand, or even walk more than ten feet without pain.
The claim settled for just under $37,000. State Farm Insurance paid on the claim
Call the Illinois injury lawyers at Abels & Annes if you have been hurt in a Chicago area car accident. Call us at 312-924-7575 for a free consultation.