With April just around the corner, many who live in Chicago are lamenting the late winter storm that hit the area recently and brought with it snow and cold temperatures. Many in the city are anticipating warm weather and all that accompanies it but instead must put up with this most recent, and potentially, last winter weather front and the hazards it has created on area roads. From icy conditions to decreased visibility, the weather partially has been to blame for numerous winter weather car accidents across the Chicago area recently and may continue to contribute to them over the next day or two.
Some people believe that winter weather is bad luck and that any accident involving poor conditions is nothing more than that – an accident. Because of this common belief, some victims of these collisions are unaware that they may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their injuries and their suffering and that their family members may also be entitled to help. If you have been involved in a crash, it is important to understand how the laws may impact your claim so you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer to clarify the relief that may be available to you.
This morning’s commute was full of dangerous conditions on the roadways for many of those who travel by car. Officials around Chicago and in many of the surrounding suburbs confirmed that icy conditions led to numerous collisions, some of which resulted in injuries.
Bedford Park experienced a pile-up involving between 10 and 15 cars on Harlem Avenue between 63rd Street and 71st street. Icy weather is believed to have started that crash though speed and other factors likely played a role as well. The collision started around 6:00 a.m. and prompted local officials to close parts of the road to traffic though the area was reopened prior to the end of rush hour.
Multiple accidents were also reported on Route 53 that were blamed on the weather and in suburban Wheaton in DuPage County. The City of Lombard confirmed a 10 car collision near the intersection of Highland and Butterfield Roads while Villa Park confirmed at least 11 separate accidents.
As Chicago has already had a few bouts of spring-like weather, this most recent storm caught many off guard and made many people revert to their winter coats and snow shovels. This made the storm a bigger threat as it was less anticipated than those that hit Chicago in December and January and also, in many cases, less welcomed.
If you are involved in a collision involving snow, ice, or any type of winter weather, do not fall under the common misconception that you are unable to get the help you deserve. Contact the injury attorney at Abels & Annes, P.C. toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and let our legal team provide you with a free case consultation without any obligation about your options for help.
We understand that crashes happen at all times of the day and night so we always have a licensed lawyer standing by, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. When we handle a case, every one of our lawyers fights for the best possible outcome and if you have been hurt, we want to fight for you.
Do not let your right to recover slip through your fingers if you have been injured. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. and let us help you get the relief you need.
Prior Blog Entry:
Driver Hit Outside of Vehicle on I-55, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published March 20, 2015.
Resource:
Icy conditions blamed for pile-up in Bedford Park, by Gary Gibula, Chicago Tribune, published March 27, 2015.