Car Accident

Summer Safe Driving series brought to you by the Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes

June 8, 2009 | By Dave Abels

The Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes are launching a summer safe-driving series featuring more than a dozen blogs aimed at reducing serious injury and wrongful deaths resulting from summer car accidents.

Chicago ranked fifth in the nation in the number of motor-vehicle-related deaths (192) in 2007, the most recent year of data released by the federal government. And the city was third in the nation in the number of pedestrians killed at 50.

In Illinois, the number of fatalities remained virtually the same between 2006 and 2007, dropping by five deaths, from 1,254 to 1,249. The state ranks ninth-highest in traffic fatalities, after California, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Nationwide, 41,059 people were killed and 2.5 million injured, causing $230 billion in economic damage, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Make no mistake about it: Driving a car is the most dangerous activity each of us engage in on a daily basis. Yet, as you climbed behind the wheel of that 4,000 pound hunk of steel to begin the work week, do you even remember the last time you made a conscious effort to review the safe driving habits and practices that could save your life?

In the coming weeks, we will be reviewing some of the most common causes of serious or fatal accidents, including:
-Aggressive Driving
-Speeding
-Distracted Driving
-Drowsy Driving
-Impaired Driving
-Accidents with motorcycles
-Accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians
-Red lights and intersections
-Driving in inclement weather
-Teen driving
-Driving and seniors
-And driving in parking lots
Continue reading

Chicago car accident lawyers await governor’s decision on text messaging and cell phone bans

June 4, 2009 | By Dave Abels

Illinois lawmakers sent a pair of bills to the governor’s office last week that would ban text messaging while driving and forbid drivers from using cell phones in school and construction zones.

Distracted drivers are a significant cause of Chicago car accidents handled by the personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes and the laws could impact future cases brought by car accident victims. A landmark study issued in 2006 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 78% of crashes involved a driver distracted within three seconds before an accident.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn told Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog on Wednesday that lawmakers have 30 days to forward the bills to the governor’s office for signature. Gov. Quinn has not indicated whether he will sign them into law but the proposals received heavy support in both chambers and were lobbied for by Secretary of State Jesse White.

Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyers urge long summer of safe riding

June 2, 2009 | By Dave Abels

Summer is motorcycle season in Illinois and the motorcycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes urge riders and motorists to work together in preventing serious injury and wrongful death from motorcycle accidents.

Gov. Pat Quinn, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and motorcycle safety advocates have joined forces in urging the public to “start seeing motorcycles.”

In addition, IDOT is offering free courses for beginner and intermediate riders as it unveils new public service announcements to be aired on radio stations statewide from May to September.

“When you ride, be aware of your surroundings – others may not see you,” said Larry Kolling of the Gold Wing Road Rider’s Association. “Whenever there is a motor vehicle versus a motorcycle accident, most of the time the operator’s comment is ‘I did not see the bike.’ Look twice. Save a life.”

Drivers often misjudge the speed and distance of a motorcycle. The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes want motorists to remember a second look and a little patience can literally mean the difference between life and death for a biker – the vulnerability of motorcyclists means every accident is life threatening.

Illinois motorcycle fatalities declined slightly last year, from 157 to 135 — a trend authorities and safety advocates are committed to seeing continue.

“We are moving in the right direction with our traffic safety efforts; however, motorcycle fatalities remain a concern,” said Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken, noting the state will be deploying motorcycles to improve motorcycle awareness and safety.

“Our highly-skilled motorcycle enforcement officers will be deployed on interstates throughout the state with the mission of checking for proper license endorsements, speed limit enforcement, reducing fatalities and making other vehicle drivers more aware of motorcyclists.”

Monken said officers will also be enforcing “fatal five violations,” which include speeding, safety belts, improper lane usage, following too closely and driving under the influence.

“We anticipate that deployment of the motorcycle patrol unit will cut down the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit and will ultimately reduce the number of crashes, deaths and injuries,” said IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig.

In 2008, the state trained 15,954 riders in the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program, up from 14,917 in 2007. Classes are free to any Illinois resident 16 years of age or older. For more information on locations and schedules, click here.

The Illinois State Patrol offers the following safety tips: Continue reading

DUI Driver Causes Deadly Chicago Area Car Crash

May 29, 2009 | By Dave Abels

An auto accident in the northern suburbs of Chicago has resulted in the death of a Northbrook resident and felony charges against a Gurnee resident, according to the Northbrook Star. The accident occurred on May 22nd in the 100 block of LeBaron Street in Waukegan when a 22 year old driver left the roadway in a Chevrolet Silverado and hit a parked semi-trailer.

His passenger, Andrew Galo, age 22, was pronounced dead at the scene from head injuries. The driver was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for medical treatment. His injuries were reportedly not serious.

The driver has since been charged with reckless homicide, DUI and speeding. Bond has been set at $100,000. The Waukegan Police Department handled the crash investigation.

Chicago Car Accident Injures Police Officer and 4 Civilians

May 27, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a police officer was critically injured on Wednesday in a multiple vehicle car crash on the South Side, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The collision involved 3 vehicles, including a police department SUV, and occurred just before noon at 98th and Halsted. Four others were hurt in the accident.

The Chicago Police Officer was rushed by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. An elderly couple was also taken to Christ, and 2 teens were taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park.

The cause of the accident has not yet been reported. The accident shut down the southbound lanes of Halsted.

Geese Crossing Street Leads To Chicago Area School Bus Accident

May 23, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Naperville, Illinois an auto accident occurred on Thursday after a vehicle stopped to allow geese to cross the road, according to the Naperville Sun. A second car stopped behind the first car, and then a school bus rear-ended the 2nd car, knocking it into the 1st car. The auto accident occurred at Naper Boulevard and Chicago Avenue around 7 a.m.

The school bus was headed to Naperville North High School with 33 students on board. No injuries were reported and the bus was able to continue on to school.

If it ends up there were injuries in the accident, liability would mainly be against the school bus operator for driving too fast for conditions and failing to stop in time to avoid an accident. While no injuries were reported at the scene, it is likely that the occupants of the vehicle that was rear-ended sustained back and/or neck injuries (and others involved could have been injured as well).

Chicago Area Pedestrian Hit & Killed By Car While Carrying Her 2 Children

May 21, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In the western suburb of LaGrange, Illinois a pedestrian was hit and killed today by a car while she was lifting her baby stroller onto a curb, according to WQAD.com. She was carrying her 2 year old daughter in the stroller. She was also carrying her 4 month old son who sustained a broken leg in the accident. The daughter was not injured.

The victim, Cari Cook, age 30, of Countryside, Illinois was reportedly crossing an intersection with her children and had made it to the other side when she was hit. She was rushed to an area hospital and pasted away a short time later.

The LaGrange Police Department is investigating the accident. It is reportedly not a hit-and-run, however no one has been charged or arrested. Witnesses are still being interviewed.

Chicago Fire Department Paramedics Hurt In Loop Car Accident

May 20, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois two paramedics employed by the Chicago Fire Department were injured in an ambulance accident on Tuesday in the South Loop, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The accident occurred around 2:00 p.m. at Clark & Harrison.

The collision took place while they were transporting a patient to Mercy Hospital. The paramedics were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment, and the original patient continued on to Mercy without a problem.

The cause of the accident has not been reported.

Witnesses Sought In Chicago Hit & Run Pedestrian Accident

May 19, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a hit-and-run pedestrian vs. car accident has left a South Side woman severely injured, and her family is looking for help and answers. The accident happened near 67th & Halsted on April 22, 2009 and the victim, Eve Davis, age 67, still remains hospitalized at Stroger Hospital.

She is scheduled for surgery today to replace a broken left hip. Her other injuries include two spinal fractures, internal bleeding, staples in her left shoulder, a laceration from the top of head down to her left eye, and significant memory loss.

The Chicago Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating the hit and run, but no witnesses to the collision have been located. The investigating officers have informed family members that there was evidence that the pedestrian was dragged 20 feet in the accident.

Chicago Driver Distracted By Cell Phone Hits Pedestrians On Sidewalk

May 15, 2009 | By Dave Abels

Chicago Car Accident Lawyers from Abels & Annes have been retained by two pedestrians who were injured by a driver in April. The accident occurred when a driver talking on his cell phone lost control, drove onto a sidewalk and hit them. The collision happened on the South Side in the area of 57th Street.

Both pedestrians were treated for injuries at Advocate Christ Medical Center. One of the pedestrians is going through follow up treatment with a medical doctor and at MacNeal Hospital for leg injuries.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the accident and ticketed the defendant with using a cell phone while driving and with striking a pedestrian. The driver pleaded guilty to the charges this week in traffic court at the Daley Center.