A 32-year-old Steger man died and at least two other people were injured in a rear-end crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. According to Illinois State Police Sergeant Jose R. De Jesus, a northbound Chrysler Pacifica was hit from behind by a Chevrolet minivan after it stopped in the express lanes near 26th Street. The initial impact allegedly caused the minivan to strike a wall on the roadway and flip. Fire Media Affairs Spokesperson Kevin MacGregor said emergency responders extricated five people from the accident wreckage.
De Jesus stated one of the three passengers in the minivan was transported to Cook County’s Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Another minivan passenger was reportedly taken to Northwestern Hospital in serious condition. De Jesus said the driver of the Chrysler was also treated for non-life threatening injuries at Stroger Hospital. The northbound express lanes of the roadway were reportedly closed for more than five hours following the incident.
The exact cause of the fatal collision is under investigation by Illinois State Police. Due to the severity of the accident, it is currently unclear who was driving the minivan at the time of the crash. According to a police statement, no charges were filed in connection with the collision.
Rear-end crashes are common in the Chicago Metro. A driver or passenger in a motor vehicle that was hit from behind may suffer back and neck injuries, severe head trauma, a spinal cord injury, broken bones, and other trauma such as whiplash. As was unfortunately the case here, rear-end crashes may also result in serious injury and death. The victim in a Chicago rear-end auto accident may be entitled to recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, any disability that resulted from the collision, pain and suffering, and other damages. The close family members of an individual who was killed in such a crash may also be eligible to file a wrongful death case.
Most rear-end collisions are caused by a motorist who was following too closely or simply failed to remain attentive. Unfortunately, automobile insurance companies often work hard to reject the honest personal injury claims of individuals who had the misfortune of being struck from behind by another driver. In the State of Illinois, liability is determined based on modified comparative negligence. This means someone who was hurt in an automobile or other accident must show that the person who caused his or her harm was more to blame for the injury than they were. In addition, a damages award may be reduced based upon the injured party’s percentage of fault. You should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer to discuss your right to recovery in more detail.
If you were hurt in a rear-end or other auto accident, please call Abels & Annes, P.C. at (312) 475-9596. Our experienced Chicago car accident attorneys are here to answer your questions and aid you in filing your personal injury case. At Abels & Annes, P.C., our dedicated lawyers are available to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Our attorneys are committed to helping injured clients receive the compensation they deserve following an Illinois injury accident. To speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer today, do not hesitate to contact Abels & Annes, P.C. through the law firm’s website.
More Blogs:
18 Injured in Chicago Heights PACE Bus Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, November 22, 2012
Seven Teens Hurt in Hinsdale Rollover Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, November 19, 2012
Additional Resources:
1 Dead, 4 Critically Hurt In Dan Ryan Crash, Chicago.cbslocal.com
One dead, three hurt in Dan Ryan crash, Chicago Tribune