Many of the car accidents that occur in Chicago involve multiple vehicles colliding together. Whether caused by a speeding driver, a failure to yield, or a failure to stop for traffic, most people imagine an impact with at least two vehicles when they think of a car accident.
But that is not the only way that collisions occur in the city and across the rest of Illinois. Annually, many single vehicle car crashes occur as cars leave a road’s surface and roll over, strike a fixed object like a building or a tree, or otherwise crash without an impact from a second vehicle.
When a single car collision happens, those injured in that crash may be entitled to relief against a driver if the driver made mistakes or against any other entity that caused the crash, like a tire company that produced a flawed tire, causing it to blow and leading to an impact. Speaking with a lawyer who represents the victims of car crashes may help you understand if a recovery is possible in your case and who may be held civilly liable for your damages.
At approximately 12:20 a.m. on Monday morning, a single vehicle accident occurred on Chicago’s south side in the Washington Heights neighborhood. It appears that a vehicle struck a median on West 95th Avenue and then left the road and struck a tree which caused the vehicle to come to a rest. Two adults and three children were inside the vehicle and all were injured in the crash.
The adults, ages 25 and 22, were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center and Little Company of Mary Hospital, respectively. Both were expected to survive. One of the children was allegedly found outside of the car but in a car seat when officials arrived. That child was transported to Advocate Christ Hospital as well in serious to critical condition. The condition of the other two children is not clear at this time.
Authorities are still looking into the incident and trying to determine what led to the crash, including whether distraction or intoxication played a role. At this time, no charges against the driver have been reported.
A car accident can leave anyone involved with injuries, not just the drivers behind the wheel. This includes children who are passengers in cars and who are not responsible for the accidents.
Often, when a child is injured in a crash, it can be difficult to determine the extent of the injuries. The child may be too young to convey where he or she is hurt or the child may be too frightened to explain all the problems being experienced. In some cases, injuries are determined to be worse than originally believed as time passes.
As a parent, both you and your child may have rights if your child has been injured in an automobile accident in Chicago. At Abels & Annes, P.C., our lawyers want to help you understand what those rights may be. We are standing by 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to take your call toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and to help you understand if you may be entitled to relief. The call is always free and there is no obligation on your part for speaking with us, so do not hesitate to make sure your child’s interests are protected. Call us today and let us help your family.
Prior Blog Entry:
Garbage Spill Causes Crash Between School Bus and Semi Truck on Dan Ryan Expressway, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 4, 2014.
Resource:
5 Hurt, Including 3 Kids, When Car Strikes Tree, NBC 5 Chicago, published June 9, 2014.