In most instances, rollover accidents begin with an initial impact between a rolling car and another object – called a “tripped” collision – whether that object is a second vehicle, a curb, or a fixed object near the roadway. In other instances, a rollover happens without an initial impact and is an untripped rollover. These may happen if a vehicle takes a corner at a speed too high to be safe or if a tire blows and causes a driver to lose control.
Rollover accidents are some of the most deadly forms of collisions that plague the streets of Chicago. Unlike a crash that leaves a vehicle standing upright, a rollover collision involves multiple impacts at multiple points on the vehicle. Damage to a front end, rear end, side, roof, and floor are all possible when a vehicle rolls and the odds of damage increase as the number of rollovers compound. Importantly, safety advances that have made collisions much more survivable have had little effect on rollovers in recent decades as the new addition of these features rarely focuses on the roof of a vehicle.
Though rollover collisions are serious and may cause injuries, the victims of these crashes should know that relief may be available and may be able to provide these victims with the compensation they deserve. Claims for relief are separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges that may be sought by the State of Illinois and may include a claim for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages among any other damages that result from a crash. The facts of an accident can determine what relief may be possible and whether payment is possible so if you have been injured or if your loved one has been hurt, speaking to a lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options following an accident.
On Sunday morning, a car traveling in the 3600 block of West Foster Avenue sideswiped a second vehicle in the area before colliding with a bus stop. The force of the impact then led the vehicle to roll over and left one passenger with significant injuries. Police and emergency crews responded to the scene and evaluated three people inside the car; reportedly, a 22-year-old male driver and another male passenger were uninjured while a 23-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital.
Fortunately, officials have confirmed that no pedestrians were in the area of the bus stop at the time of the 1:00 a.m. crash and that those inside the first car were the only ones hurt.
At this time, the 22-year-old driver is facing charges for failing to stay within a lane of traffic and failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision. The investigation is ongoing at this time, though, so it is possible that additional charges may be issued.
Traffic tickets are not the only fallout that may result from a car accident in the greater Chicago area. Often, victims can obtain payment to return them to their pre-injury states through the use of a civil claim for damages.
At Ables & Annes, P.C., our firm is comprised of personal injury lawyers who only represent victims and who never represent insurance companies. We have experience helping numerous victims of rollover accidents seek the relief they deserve and if you have been hurt, we want to help you as well.
We offer a case consultation without any obligation or any charge to those who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we keep an attorney standing by at all hours of the day and night to help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
DUI Charges Pending in Fatal Lake Shore Drive Car Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published January 21, 2015.
Resource:
Woman hurt after car slams into bus stop, rolls over on Northwest Side, by Alexandra Chachkevitch, Chicago Tribune, published January 25, 2015.