Articles Posted in Car Accident

A 20 year old woman is dead and three others have been hospitalized after the vehicle they were driving in dove into a retention pond in Aurora last Saturday evening.According to police, the accident occurred at around 7:30 in the evening. The car was travelling on the eastbound exit ramp of Interstate 88 at Eola road, when something caused the vehicle to leave the roadway.

The vehicle was upside down in the water when the first responders arrived at the scene. The three individuals who were hospitalized sustained what are believed to be non life-threatening injuries. Divers had to search the freezing pond for hours in order to locate the fourth woman, whom they found at around 3 a.m. the following morning.

The interstate’s exit ramp was closed for several hours following the crash, allowing authorities time to investigate. Police have not revealed information regarding what may have caused the vehicle to leave the road.

Based on the incredibly limited information surrounding the circumstances of the crash, there are several different potential causes. These potential causes include slick or icy road conditions, texting while driving, distracted driving, or some other intervening cause or distraction which might have caused the driver to have to over correct or steer suddenly off of the road.

Anyone who fails to use reasonable care while operating a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle in our state may be guilty of negligence. An individual who was hurt as a result of another motorist’s negligence may be entitled to receive financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and disability. If you were hurt in an unexpected car accident, contact a skilled car accident attorney to help you file your personal injury claim.
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A 24 year old man and 22 year old women are dead following a tragic single vehicle car accident which happened early Sunday morning in southern suburban Calumet Park.

The Illinois State Police released a statement indicating that both the driver and a passenger of a blue 1997 Oldsmobile died in the accident at 4:30 a.m. on northbound Interstate Highway 57 at 127th Street. Authorities further stated that the driver was traveling too fast for the road conditions. This caused the car to roll over, at some point hitting a guard rail and a concrete support.According to the statement, the two victims were believed to have been wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Authorities believe that the accident may have been alcohol-related.

The vehicle was absolutely decimated from the crash, as shown in the pictures and video preview provided by the Chicago Tribune. This tragedy serves as an important reminder for drivers to observe relevant traffic and safety laws, and to adjust speed based on relevant traffic conditions. Drivers should be especially vigilant at the times of day when sunlight can affect visibility, such as sunrise or sunset, and alternatively when there is little to no sunlight. Spring showers can also make roadways especially slippery.
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Four Chicago area teenagers were killed in a tragic car accident last week, when their car plummeted into a rain-filled creek.The victims left their homes early Monday evening. Their bodies were found in an overturned car in Forked Creek, near Wilmington. Police arrived at the creek around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, after a school bus driver had reported a broken guard rail and a wheel sticking out of the water. Authorities had been searching for the group since one family had reported their child as missing late Monday evening, when the teens did not return.

The Will County Sheriff’s spokesman said in a statement that it appears the accident was weather-related. He speculated that there may have been a significant amount of runoff on the roadway right before the bridge, which could have been the cause for the horrific crash.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, even though deadly crashes have been on the decline for years, traffic accidents remain the leading cause of death for people ages 13-19. Statewide, car accidents remain the main cause of death to teenagers. Nationwide, total deaths have dropped from 8,748 in 1975 to 3,115 in 2010, according to the Insurance Institute. Yet, the risk of even being involved in a car accident is three times higher for teens than for older drivers.
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A 31 year old man was killed last week, when the car he was driving was forced off of the road byan SUV driving next to him, causing the car to careen off of the road and down an embankment. The SUV which was believed to be the cause of the wreck, was found abandoned on a nearby street still running. There is little information at this point in time regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The driver of the SUV fled the scene, and it is unclear if anyone else was involved in the crash. Witnesses told the police that the vehicle was airborne at some point before crashing to the ground.

The victim of the crash was believed to have been in a silver Dodge Stratus, though it remains unclear whether he was a driver or passenger in the vehicle. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Authorities revealed that they are unsure as to who the owners of the SUV and the Stratus are. Both vehicles have sustained damage to their steering columns, which could indicate that they were stolen at some point in time. Additionally, the SUV has temporary tags, but the individual to whom it is registered does not reside at the address on the registration. The victim of the accident did not own a car.

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A 26-year-old woman died and two others were hurt in a recent single-vehicle crash in Chicago’s Calumet Heights neighborhood. According to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Ronald Gaines, the driver of a sedan was speeding around 4 am when she lost control of the vehicle near the intersection of East 88th Street and South Chicago Avenue. After leaving the roadway, the automobile reportedly struck a nearby pole head-on. Police stated a 27-year-old woman was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with critical injuries following the crash. In addition, paramedics purportedly took a 22-year-old woman to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in stable condition. A representative for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said the 26-year-old was transported to Advocate Trinity Hospital where she was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the collision occurred.

Gaines stated the cause of the deadly crash is currently under investigation. It is unclear whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the fatal incident. Additionally, it is unknown whether any of the occupants of the sedan were wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that fatal accidents like this one are three times more likely to occur when it is dark outside than during the day. In fact, about half of all motorist and passenger deaths across the country occur at night despite that only about one-fourth of all vehicle miles are driven in the dark. Crashes that involved speeding or alcohol, as well as single-vehicle collisions are also allegedly more apt to occur in the dark.

An individual who was hurt in a Chicago traffic accident may be eligible to receive compensation for suffering and pain, medical expenses, any resulting disability, lost wages and benefits, and other damages. The family of someone who was tragically killed due to the careless actions of a driver may also be entitled to recover for their loved one’s wrongful death. If you were injured or a close relative was killed in an unexpected motor vehicle crash, a skilled car accident lawyer can help.
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Lately I’ve been reading a lot about the Google car, a vehicle that drives itself. While it sounds too good to be true, the car is currently being tested. Once the car arrives it could have far-reaching implications across the world.

Why will the car put me out of business? Because I am a car accident lawyer and if the technology in this car is implemented throughout United States we should see a 90% drop in auto accidents.

Across the world, it is estimated that around 1.2 million people die in accidents each year and 50,000,000+ are injured. This number should grow as the population grows. Self driven vehicles could significantly decrease these fatalities and injuries, and the various costs associated with accidents.

 

 
Google Car YouTube Video

The above YouTube video shows how a Google test car is changing the life of a man who is 95% blind.

The car is expected to also reduce wasted drive time and energy by 90%, and reduce the number of cars on the road by 90%. Here’s a brief overview as to how the vehicle will reduce your commute time. The technology in the vehicle will allow for higher speeds, allow cars to travel in very close proximity to each other, and the vehicles will choose more effective routes.

It is estimated that every year Americans waste 1.9 billion gallons of gas and 4.8 billion hours of time sitting in traffic. That could soon change.

Here’s another possible savings: the Google car could lessen or eliminate the need to own your own vehicle. Theoretically you could share vehicles with a group of people. A driverless car would have the ability to move to where it is needed on its own, parking itself somewhere when it’s not being used.

For many people, after their home a car is the item that costs the most. With self driven vehicles, you could theoretically use a shared vehicle when needed and just pay by the mile. It would be similar to using a Zipcar, except the car would come to your location.

Who are the losers?

Obviously Google is a huge winner under this scenario. The value of this technology should be worth trillions of dollars, and I’m not complaining. If things go the way Google envisions, I say line up all of their executives and give them Nobel peace prizes.

That being said, many people are going to take serious financial hits if self driven vehicles become the norm. I already mentioned that personal injury lawyers will take a huge hit. Most personal injury practices are largely based on auto related injuries. But who else is going to feel the financial pain?

1. Auto insurance carriers. No auto accidents means no need for auto insurance policies (for the most part). We will still need auto insurance for the estimated 10% of accidents that will still occur.

2. Auto body repair shops. If there are no accidents, there will be little need for car repair shops.

3. Medical practices and emergency rooms. A huge portion of business for orthopedic medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, emergency rooms, etc. comes from auto related accidents. Most of this business would disappear.

4. Health insurance carriers. With far less people needing serious medical care due to accidents, health insurance companies will not be able to justify large premiums for long. Prices should be drastically reduced, along with health insurance profits.

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An off-duty officer with the Chicago Police Department was recently killed in a tragic rollover accident on the South Side of Chicago. The 31-year-old woman was reportedly driving her sport utility vehicle on the Chicago Skyway around 10:30 pm when she struck a concrete barrier near 81st Street. According to a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle crash.

The exact cause of the fatal wreck is purportedly under investigation by the Chicago Police Department’s Major Accidents Investigation Unit. A crash witness reportedly told police that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed immediately prior to the accident. At this time, it is unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a factor in the deadly rollover collision.

Fatal one-car traffic wrecks like this one occur all too often in the Chicago area. A malfunctioning vehicle, swerving to avoid unexpected road hazards, speeding, and inclement weather are common causes for such crashes. Additionally, a careless, distracted, or impaired motorist may also cause an injury accident. In 2011, 532 people died as a result of a single-vehicle collision in the State of Illinois. That means more than half of the 918 fatal traffic wrecks throughout the state involved only one automobile. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests the bulk of those one-car crashes occurred in cities like Chicago.

In some cases, an auto manufacturer, a city, another motorist, and others may be held responsible for the injuries that resulted from a single-vehicle crash. Our office often represents passengers that have been injured in single car accident. As a passenger, you are typically considered free of negligence.

If you were hurt through no fault of your own in a one-car traffic wreck, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses, physical therapy, pain and suffering, any resulting disability, lost wages and benefits, and more. Because Illinois is a comparative negligence accident state, you may be able to recover damages for any harm you sustained in a single-vehicle crash even if you were somehow partially to blame. A hardworking car accident lawyer can explain your options for recovery in more detail.

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Two teenagers were killed in a recent single-vehicle crash on Wilmot Road near northwest suburban Antioch Township. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a 16-year-old Antioch High School junior was headed east in a Chevrolet Trailblazer Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) when he unexpectedly left the roadway and struck a 20-inch maple tree around 7 pm. The force of the impact reportedly uprooted the tree before it landed on top of the SUV. According to an accident witness, it was pouring rain when the traffic wreck occurred. The witness added that both the driver and a 17-year-old passenger were wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Still, both young adults were purportedly pronounced dead by the Lake County Coroner’s Office at the scene of the crash.

A spokesperson for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of the fatal incident is currently under investigation. She added that inclement weather likely played a role in the collision. Although toxicology results are pending, authorities stated there was no reason to believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the deadly accident.

Sadly, motor vehicle crashes like this one are the leading cause of injury and death for teens in Illinois and across the country. Illinois graduated driver’s license laws were implemented in an effort to protect young people and others traveling on the roadway from being injured or killed in a collision. For the first 12 months of driving, Illinois motorists who are under the age of 18 may not operate a vehicle with more than one passenger under the age of 20 who is not an immediate family member in the car. In addition, before obtaining a driver’s license, all teen motorists in Illinois must complete an approved driver education course.

As part of the graduated driver license laws, the hours during which a driver under the age of 18 may operate a motor vehicle on an Illinois roadway are limited. Minor drivers are also prohibited from using a cellular telephone with or without a hands-free device while driving except in case of extreme emergency. Regardless of a driver’s age, texting while driving is always prohibited in Illinois.

Anyone who fails to use reasonable care while operating a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle in our state may be guilty of negligence. An individual who was hurt as a result of another motorist’s negligence may be entitled to receive financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and disability. If you were hurt in an unexpected car accident, contact a skilled car accident attorney to help you file your personal injury claim.
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A 57-year-old Albany Park woman was recently killed in a single-vehicle wreck on North Elston Avenue in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. According to News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro, the woman was headed north around 9 pm when the Nissan van she was driving left the roadway and struck a pole. After hitting the pole, the van reportedly stuck a tree as well. Paramedics transported the woman to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where she died less than an hour after the crash.

The exact cause of the one-vehicle accident is currently under investigation. Alfaro said investigators are working to determine what caused the woman’s automobile to leave the roadway. It is reportedly unclear whether she was wearing a safety belt at the time of the incident. In addition, Alfaro stated the woman was the only passenger in the van and no one else was hurt in the fatal traffic wreck.

Regrettably, tragic one-car accidents like this one happen all too often throughout Chicago. A malfunctioning motor vehicle, inclement weather conditions, unexpected hazards in the road, and even swerving in order to avoid another collision may potentially cause a single-vehicle traffic accident. In addition, a distracted, careless, or impaired motorist can also cause such a wreck. In 2011, over half of the 918 fatal traffic crashes that occurred across the State of Illinois involved only one motor vehicle. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that most of those one-car traffic wrecks occurred in urban areas like Chicago.

If you were hurt or a close family member was killed in a single-vehicle or other traffic accident, you may be eligible to recover damages related to the cost of your medical care, pain and suffering, physical therapy, any resulting disability, lost wages and benefits, funeral expenses, and more. In fact, you may be able to receive financial damages for any harm you sustained in a Chicago automobile crash even if you were partially to blame for your injuries. If you were wounded in a Chicago traffic wreck, you should contact a skilled lawyer to discuss your options for recovery.
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