As a driver, probably the last thing you might expect to encounter while driving is the occurrence of a 40 foot wide sinkhole in the middle of the street. However, that’s precisely what several drivers encountered last week on Chicago’s South Side, as they were driving in the area near 9600 South Houston Avenue, where the road spontaneously caved in.
A total of three cars fell victim to the hole, with a fourth car towed out just before it was about to go over the edge. According to sources, two of the cars were driven in, while one was a car parked nearby that fell in as the hole expanded.
According to various reports, one of the drivers was taken to the hospital as a result of the injuries he suffered as a result of crashing into the hole.
The sinkhole in this case was caused by a nearly 100 year old water main break, according to a spokesperson for the Water Department.
Sinkholes are generally the result of major changes in the water balance underground, whether through massive removal, or great saturation such as that experienced following a massive storm or other weather event. You can find more information regarding how sinkholes are formed here and here.
Because the sinkhole in this case is the result of a broken water main, this creates a potential legal argument that the accident was caused by the government’s negligence. Governmental agencies are supposed to replace underground pipes at certain intervals, according to the nature of the materials, in order to ensure that complications such as this one do not arise. Thus, the drivers who were injured or suffered property damage, such as to their cars, etc., have a potential legal claim to secure compensation for their losses.
Additionally, if your car was involved in a car accident due to a sinkhole which occurred on private property, depending on the nature of the circumstances regarding how the hole occurred, you may have a claim against the land owner for failing to maintain their property in a safe manner.
If you or a loved one have been hurt or suffered property damage as a result of a car accident caused either in whole or in part by negligent maintenance of road, you should contact an experienced Chicago car accident attorney in order to discuss your potential claims. The attorneys at Abels & Annes have many years of experience in handling various sorts of car accidents. We can help you through the daunting process in order to help you assess and understand your rights and potential remedies. We will fight to help you to ensure that you recover everything that you are entitled to. Call us today in order to schedule your free initial consultation. You can reach us by calling (312) 924-7575, or through our online contact form.
More Blog Posts:
1 Dead 4 Injured in Chicago Crash involving Police, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published April 17, 2013
Off Duty Police Officer Kills 2 College Students in Chicago DUI Wrong Way Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published April 14, 2013