Do you drive in the city of Chicago or are you an occasional passenger in a car, truck, bus, or taxi cab? If so, when you enter the vehicle, do you consider the time of day as a factor in your safety? It might sound strange but statistically, car accidents are not equally spread across the 24 hours of every day. Instead, there are times of the day and days of the week more likely to produce collisions than other. Rush hours, both in the morning and in the evening, are notorious for weekday car crashes, in part because of the large number of vehicles on the roads during these times. However, late night and early morning hours also experience significant collisions, and usually, heavy traffic does not play a role. Rather, distracted driving, motorists who are tired or sleepy, and those under the influence of alcohol or drugs are involved in collisions more often in these late hours than during the daytime, making nighttime driving risky to all who are on the roads.
Car accidents in the Chicago area may involve one or multiple vehicles and may range from the minor to the fatal. Often, it is innocent victims who are left to suffer the harm caused by a collision, whether that harm takes the form of a physical injury, pain and suffering, or even lost wages that a victim must miss. The laws in the state are on the side of victims and are designed to hold negligent drivers liable for their actions, so if a car crash has affected your life, you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about the law as it applies to your collision and whether you have a valid claim.
Shortly before 2:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, two vehicles collided in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago near the 5400 block of West Chicago Avenue, according to local police. Officials have reported that their investigation is ongoing but that they believe both vehicles were traveling in the same direction when the rear vehicle collided with the car in front, sending both vehicles careening out of control. The first vehicle struck a brick wall off the roadway’s surface while the rear vehicle struck a pole in the area, bringing both vehicles to a stop.
Between the two vehicles, five people were injured and were in need of medical help. Four of those victims were in serious condition with undisclosed injuries, but it is not clear whether either driver involved was among the seriously hurt.
While the investigation continues, officials are trying to determine what caused the rear-end crash and whether negligence played a role. Among other factors, they are trying to determine whether speed or distraction played a role.
No one can guarantee they will be safe from a collision, whether they are a driver, a passenger, or even a pedestrian in the area of a road. The truth is that collisions continue to take place every year in Chicago and continue to leave victims with injuries, in need of medical help, and in a condition unfit for working while those victims recover. The financial and physical tolls enacted by these crashes are astronomical.
When a collision leaves you injured or hurts or kills your loved one, the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. want you to know that you have rights and you may have options to obtain the relief you deserve. To seek a recovery, a claim must be brought within a time period specified by law so you should consider speaking to an attorney as soon as practical after a crash happens.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we only represent accident victims and we never represent insurance companies, so you know that we will be on your side. We offer a free case consultation to those who call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575. If you have been injured, call us today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Mom and 3 Children Killed after Train Collides with Car in Vandalia, Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, published November 3, 2014.
Resource:
Five people injured in car crash on West Side, by Alexandra Chechkevitch, Chicago Tribune, published November 8, 2014.