As Chicago recently witnessed its first measurable amount snow fall, drivers are already suffering those dangerous side effects of the slick and icy roadways. The snowfall caused a number of Chicago car accidents, including quite a few spinouts on expressways, two fatal accidents in Will County and another fatal accident on the Eisenhower, according to the Chicago Tribune.Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that the recent snowfall ties the 1949 record for the fifth-latest date for us to see the season’s first measurable snow. The first place date for the latest first snowfall of the season record remains on December 16th of 1965. As we start to see the snow, drivers are urged to be cautious on our roadways. It’s best to avoid driving when snow and icy covers the roads, but if you have to, you’re urged to alter your driving habits to accommodate the winter weather conditions.
By 6:00 a.m., there was more than a half inch measured at the O’Hare International Airport, which serves as the official reporting station for Chicago.
Before sunrise, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) warned of slick roadways on all of the expressways in the Chicago area. By that time, there had already been several spinout accidents. The Transportation Department already deployed snowplows to handle the mess. Drivers were urged to drive carefully.
According to the Illinois State Police (ISP), there was a fatal accident at Cicero Avenue and Eisenhower at roughly 7:00 a.m. In this accident, a pickup truck and a box truck collided. A passenger of the pickup truck was killed in the accident.
Two more accidents happened on Interstate 80 in Will County because of the winter weather. ISP reported that the roadways were covered with snow and ice.
The first accident happened as a motorist crashed his passenger vehicle into a semi as they were both heading west on Interstate 80 by U.S. Route 30. The driver of the passenger-vehicle was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, where he was later pronounced dead.
The second accident happened when a female driver swerved from the roadway, flipper her vehicle and ran into a fixed object.
As we recently reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, officials from the Illinois Tollway, the ISP and the IDOT urge drivers throughout the state to be cautious and to prepare for the upcoming snow fall.
As we get into the heart of the winter season, driving conditions become much more dangerous. Drivers are asked to stay off of the roadways when they’re icy and snowy, whenever possible. But when you must venture out, please do so cautiously and be on the lookout for snowplows and other snow removal vehicles. Always driver slowly, cautiously and alertly when driving through the snowy weather. Alter your driving habits to accommodate the weather and to avoid a potentially fatal accident.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
Parking Lots Witness Many Accidents in Chicago throughout Holiday Season, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, December 3, 2011
Yellow Dot Program Saves Lives in Serious Car Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, December 1, 2011