The rules that apply to every driver in the city of Chicago are written out in several places including the Municipal Code of Chicago and laws enacted at the state level. Some rules may seem obvious and others more obscure but the visibility, location, or implication of a law does not matter when it comes to the knowledge charged to drivers – every driver in Chicago must follow all traffic laws. Failure to follow one or more rules, regulations, or laws likely is a violation or a crime and can have substantial fallout including the issuance of fines or fees against a responsible motorist. More significantly in some cases, ignoring a rule can lead to a car accident and that can cause injuries and/or death to the drivers and passengers involved.
One particular rule that applies to drivers in the Chicago area requires them to remain at the scene of a crash if they were involved in the collision until they are excused by police that respond to the accident. There are some very limited exceptions to this rule and generally they apply in the case that a driver needs immediate medical attention; yet often, drivers ignore this rule and leave the scene for reasons other than an emergency or something that is excused by the law. Commonly caused hit-and-run car accidents, estimates conclude that nearly 11 percent of all traffic accidents involve a hit-and-run driver and, unfortunately, about 18 percent of all pedestrian fatalities have a fleeing driver.
When a driver, passenger, or pedestrian is injured or killed by a hit-and-run driver, local and state laws provide protections for those victims and those victims’ family members so that they can seek and obtain financial compensation for their suffering. From medical expenses to lost wages and pain and suffering, these damages can be covered by an at-fault driver or an insurance company when a claim is brought according to all applicable laws and victims have the right to work with a personal injury attorney to get the assistance they need while seeking relief.
Neighbors in the Chicago Lawn area reported that a 5-year-old girl got ice cream from an ice cream truck on Saturday afternoon in an area close to her home. The child reportedly was crossing the street again to return home when a Honda Civic approached and struck the girl, causing her death.
Authorities confirmed the accident and also confirmed that the suspected at-fault driver did not slow down or stop to check on the child or to report the incident to police, instead leaving the scene of the accident near the 5900 block of South Mozart Avenue and traveling west on 60th Street. At this time, police are still looking for information on the driver of that vehicle.
There is nothing more tragic than losing a child to a senseless accident, no matter that child’s age. If you have been injured in a car crash in Chicago or if your loved one was hurt or killed, call the personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
We offer a free case consultation without obligation to all those victims who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and since we understand that accidents happen at all hours, we have an attorney standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
If your life has been affected by a collision, please do not wait. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. now and let us help you move forward by getting you the compensation you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Driver Hits, Kills Motorcyclist while Trying to Turn Left, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 20, 2015.
Resource:
Police seek Honda Civic in fatal hit-and-run that killed girl, 5, by Alexandra Chachkevitch, Chicago Tribune, published May 25, 2015.