Car Accident

Chicago car accidents a serious threat to teen safety as new study highlights dangers of distracted driving

March 15, 2011 | By Dave Abels

The U.S. Department of Transportation is teaming up with Consumer Reports to warn parents and teenagers about the dangers of distracted driving.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge parents to have a serious talk with their teens as spring approaches. With spring break, prom and graduation, teens will have plenty of chances to be out late on the road and may face peer pressure when it comes to underage drinking, drinking and driving and drug consumption.In short, the next few months are among the most dangerous when it comes to the risk of Chicago car accidents involving teenagers.

“Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roads, and teens are especially vulnerable because of their inexperience behind the wheel and, often, peer pressure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Behind the statistics are real families who have been devastated by these tragedies. We’re pleased to be working with Consumer Reports to raise awareness and help communities fight this problem.”

A free guide of “Distracted Driving Shatters Lives” is being made available at the Department of Transportation’s website www.distraction.gov as well as the website for Consumer Reports. The National School Safety Coalition is also distributing copies to schools and volunteer groups.

A public service announcement is set to begin airing on television nationwide and a Consumer Reports video will air in retail stores in April.

“It only takes a moment of distraction to cause a tragedy. No text or call is worth a life,” said Jim Guest, the president of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports. “We know that educating people about the risk of distracted driving works. This partnership is devoted to spreading the word about the dangers of distracted driving and specific steps you can take to make a difference.”

A new survey by Consumer Reports highlights the dangers faced by young drivers:

-Two thirds of those under the age of 30 reported using a hand-held phone while driving at some point during the last month; one-third of them admitted to text messaging.

-Only about one-third of those under the age of 30 said they were very concerned about distracted driving. About the same number felt it was dangerous to use a hand-held phone while behind the wheel.

-Two-thirds reported seeing another driver texting using a hand-held phone within the last month.

-Nearly all young drivers had seen another driver talking on the phone in the past month and more than half had seen a dangerous situation related to distracted driving.

-Four out of five said they had reduced or stopped distracted-driving behavior. Two-thirds said they did so after hearing about the dangers.

Parents can assist teens in making good driving decisions by:

-Establishing ground rules forbidding texting or the use of cell phones while driving.

-Talking about the dangers with family and friends.

-Setting a good example by not using a phone while driving.

-Talking to teens about the risks and responsibilities of driving.

-Having your child sign a pledge not to use a cell phone while driving and agreeing on the penalties for violating the pledge.
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St. Patrick’s Day celebrations increase risks for Chicago accidents

March 14, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day and the beginning of a long three-days of celebrating with friends for many. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge you to celebrate responsibly, designate a driver, and avoid drinking and driving.

A public holiday in Ireland and an official religious holiday since the 17th Century, the Irish don’t seem to have much on the Americans when it comes down to some serious celebrating. The Chicago River was dyed on Saturday during the 56th Downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, according to the Chicago Tribune, leaving little doubt that the celebration will be a week-long event this year.St. Patrick — who legend has it used the Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish — died in 461. While once largely a religious holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has become a secular celebration of Irish culture.

Few know that the original color of St. Patrick’s Day was blue. However, the use of green and of shamrocks dates back at least to the 17th Century. By 1991, the U.S. Congress had proclaimed the entire month of March Irish-American Heritage Month.

And, getting to our point, it is one of the leading days for alcohol consumption in the United States and is one of the busiest days of the year for bars and restaurants. As a result, state and local authorities are prepared for extended celebration and an increased risk of Chicago car accidents during the upcoming three-day weekend.

“We hope the St. Patrick’s Day holiday continues to be the popular and joyous celebration it has become, without being spoiled by impaired drivers,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “For those thinking about drinking and driving, the message is clear. Don’t do it. Designate a sober driver before the party begins or risk arrest, a DUI charge or even worse. Nothing good can come from drinking and driving.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 10,839 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in 2009 –or about one death every 45 minutes. Alcohol was involved in 381 of the 911 people killed in Illinois car crashes.

The Naperville police are among those reporting an increase in enforcement, according to the Naperville Patch.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 15 people have died and 1,261 have been injured in St. Patrick’s Day car accidents in Illinois during the last 5 years.

“The Illinois State Police and local law enforcement will increase patrols during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in an effort to prevent alcohol-related tragedies,” said Interim Illinois State Police Director Patrick Keen. “Individuals who drive impaired will be arrested. If alcohol will be part of your celebration, designate a sober driver. As always, motorists are also reminded to buckle-up to ensure safe travel.”

From March 11 to March 17, officials will use about $800,000 in highway safety dollars to conduct roadside safety checks in Illinois, as well as saturation patrols and other impaired driving countermeasures.

Party Hosts:

-You can be held liable and prosecuted for serving alcohol to someone who is involved in a drunk driving crash.

-Make sure all guests have a sober ride home.

-Serve lots of food as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

-Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys from anyone who is thinking about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For Partygoers:

-Designate a sober driver before the festivities begin.

-If you don’t have a sober ride home, ask a friend, call a cab, or stay where you are.

-Never let a friend drive impaired.

-Always wear your seat belt.

Taking pictures after a Chicago accident always a good idea, but before?

March 11, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Our Chicago car accident lawyers encourage those who have been in a serious accident to gather as much evidence at the scene as possible. This often includes photos taken by you or a relative, which can be invaluable in fighting for your rights long after a crash.

Now you can record video in real time … just in case. As we continue to report technologies impact on driving safety — both the good and the bad — the story of a Knoxville man who used a cell-phone app to help track down a hit-and-run driver is certainly out there on the cutting edge.

Nic Bender’s vigilance might be a bit extreme, but it certainly proves the technological point. He had just dropped his kid off at daycare when he was sideswiped by a passing sedan that didn’t stop. Other drivers might have been flummoxed. But not our Nic. He had decided to use a smartphone application called Daily Road Voyager … just in case.

His cell phone attaches to the car windshield and the application records his commute. Knoxville police say the resulting video is legitimate evidence that will be used as part of the investigation.

“Technology is changing, so we do expect to see more of this in the future,” Knoxville Police spokesman Darrell DeBusk told NBC10 News. “It is getting to the point where you cannot go out into public without the possibility of being recorded by someone.”

We’re not sure Chicagoans are going to record their vehicle’s every move just in case they are involved in a fender bender — but we are not so sure the technology won’t be standard equipment installed by car makers in the not-too-distant future.

As a general rule, motorists in an accident should take pictures of the scene whenever possible. Such evidence can prove useful if a lawsuit results. Road conditions change. Weather changes. Vegetation may grow or be trimmed back. Buildings may be constructed or torn down. Street signs or signals may be removed or added.

Gathering as much information from the scene — including the names and contact information of any witnesses — is always a good idea.

Nic’s just a step ahead of the rest of us.

Illinois auto accident results in death of Elgin man, several others injured

March 10, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago area car crash has claimed the life of a 49-year-old man from Elgin, according to WGN. The accident occurred on Monday and involved multiple vehicles in the area of 500 block of East Lake Street in Streamwood, Illinois.

The crash occurred around 2:15 pm. The victim was taken by ambulance to Saint Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates where he was pronounced dead around 6:15 pm.

When police responded to the accident scene, they found 4 vehicles had been involved and there were several victims with injuries. Some involved had to be extricated from their cars. A part of Lake Street had to be closed in both directions for a period of time after the crash.

Intersections a dangerous place for Chicago car accidents

March 9, 2011 | By Dave Abels

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported over 4,500 fatal crashes were at intersections or intersection-related. This is disturbing considering design changes of intersections have been on-going for the last 25 years.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have followed the debate over the affects of red light cameras, and whether they can reduce the number of Illinois car accidents that occur each year at intersections.The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration summed it up best when the feds said that intersections are the most complex traffic situation drivers encounter on a daily basis.

Even with resources dedicated to intersection safety from AAA, FHWA, the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the NHTSA, nearly 21% of all traffic fatalities are still occurring at intersections.

NHTSA reports that Illinois is at its lowest total of intersection related fatalities in 5 years. With roughly 200 intersections having red light cameras installed throughout the city, fatal intersection crashes are decreasing but the less severe rear-end collisions have increased. These can still lead to serious or even fatal injuries.

It is clear that conventional intersection designs can’t handle the volume of traffic we have today. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration in April 2010 released the Alternative Intersections/Interchanges: Informational Report that explains 4 alternative designs for intersections.

Though these alternative designs are very different from each other all have one goal in mind: The elimination of left turn lanes, which many safety advocates believe is the key to making intersections safer. These designs eliminate at least one left turn lane. In the days when vehicle speeds were slower and the volume of traffic was not as heavy, the idea of turning left in front of oncoming traffic wasn’t as dangerous. These days it is downright treacherous to make a left turn at many intersections in the city and the statistics prove it. Not only are motorists at high risk but left turns substantially increase the risk of a Chicago pedestrian accident or bicycle accident.

Decreasing the number of left turn lanes will also mean shorter waits at traffic signals and an increased volume of traffic getting through the intersection.Until then, only in NASCAR is turning left a no-brainer.

Intersections are a challenge to any motorist. Regardless of their design, nothing replaces safe driving skills. Please make it a point to use extra caution at intersections this spring and use special care in watching for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcycles.
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Do your part to avoid Chicago car accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, as spring nears

March 8, 2011 | By Dave Abels

The recovering economy is likely to lead to more car accidents in Chicago and other large metro areas that are already dealing with the consequences of congestion, CNN reports.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have frequently reported on the link between the drastic reduction in fatal car accidents and the economic downturn of the past few years. In January, we reported on out Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that Chicago ranked worst in the nation in terms of traffic congestion.Not even motorists in New York City or Los Angeles face more traffic during their commutes; Chicago motorists waste 70 hours a year waiting in their cars — more than twice the national average and about four times more than the 18 hours we were wasting in 1982.

We also reported on the increase in fatal Illinois car accidents last year. And, while the state recorded less than 1,000 traffic fatalities for the second year in a row, many think the dozen more motorists killed on the roads last year signals the beginning of the economic recovery.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 128 motorists have died on the roads thus far this year, just four fewer than during the same period a year ago.

Spring will bring with it an increased risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents. And spring break, prom and graduation bring a trifecta of dangers for teen drivers, who are already the most vulnerable motorists on the road.

Drivers are urged to use caution as Northern Illinois shakes off the final weeks of winter. Give your fellow motorists a little room and a little respect. Safe driving tips include:

-Avoid aggressive driving: This includes speeding, changing lanes without signaling, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and disobeying traffic control devices.

-Watch your speed and remain extra caution at intersections.

-Don’t drink and drive. Drunk drivers are responsible for one-third of the state’s fatal traffic accidents.

-Don’t drive distracted. It is illegal to text and drive in Illinois. Hand-held cell phone use by drivers is illegal within the City of Chicago. Regardless of the law, no phone call, text or e-mail is worth being in an accident.

-Speak to your teens about the importance of making good driving decisions.

-Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles, particularly as the weather warms.

Chicago injury lawyer settles uninsured motorist claim for $50,000 policy limits

March 6, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Illinois auto accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have reached a $50,000 insurance policy limits settlement on an uninsured motorist claim. The case stems from an accident that occurred on June 18, 2010 around 5 PM.

Our client was hurt when his vehicle was T-boned by a vehicle being driven by an uninsured motorist at the intersection of S. Jeffery Blvd. and 68th St. in Chicago, Illinois. Our client was traveling northbound on Jeffrey approaching 86th Street when the uninsured defendant drove his vehicle eastbound, going the wrong way on 86th Street (a one-way westbound street). Further, our client had no stop sign in the right-of-way, while traffic on 86th Street (traveling in the proper direction) had a stop sign.

As the plaintiff went through the intersection the front side of the defendant’s vehicle struck the driver’s side of our client’s car. The force of the impact caused the plaintiff’s vehicle to roll over.

Two separate Chicago car crashes on Dan Ryan send 11 to hospitals

February 28, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Eleven people have been injured in two separate Illinois auto accidents on the southbound Dan Ryan that occurred on Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The crashes occurred only around 30 minutes apart, leaving police asking what caused the accidents, as the road conditions were good.

The first crash occurred just after 8:30 AM around 33rd St. in the express lanes. Five people were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The second collision occurred just after 9 AM in an area between the local and express lanes near 26 Street. Six people were taken by ambulance to the hospital and the collision involved nine vehicles.

Illinois auto accident attorneys file Cook County lawsuit against DUI driver

February 26, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, working as co-counsel with the Elman law group, have filed a lawsuit against a drunk driver for his involvement in an April, 2009 auto accident. The collision took place in the 9100 block of S. Jeffery Blvd. in Chicago.

The plaintiff was driving southbound on Jeffrey when the defendant, who was traveling northbound in a Mercury Tracer, crossed the centerline and struck our client’s Ford Explorer. The accident was witnessed by a Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief who verified the above version of events.

After the accident, the Chicago Police Department came to the scene. They charged the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Chicago injury lawyer files car accident lawsuit

February 21, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Illinois car crash lawyers from Abels & Annes, working in conjunction with the Elman law group, have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County stemming from an accident that occurred back on April 14, 2009. The accident occurred at the intersection of Division Street and Leamington in Chicago, Illinois around 10 PM.

At that time, the plaintiff was driving a 2005 Mercury Sable eastbound on Division Street. As he was passing by Leamington, the defendant failed to yield coming out of a stop sign and caused a collision in the intersection. The plaintiff had no stop sign, and therefore had the right-of-way.

Our driver sustained low back and left knee injuries in the accident. He was seen shortly after Rush Oak Park Hospital.