Car Accident

Chicago DUI Driver Causes Deadly Auto Accident

May 11, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois an alleged drunk driver has caused a car accident that left one dead and 7 others injured on the South Side, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. The car crash happened Sunday night just before 8 p.m. at 43rd Street and Western Avenue.

The collision involved three vehicles and was reportedly caused by an intoxicated driver who ran a red light. The DUI driver, a 38 year old male, was northbound on Western in a 1999 Chevy Cavelier when he struck a westbound Lexus on 43rd. The Lexus driver, a Chicago Heights resident, was killed. After the initial impact, the Lexus struck a Toyota that was stopped at the light.

Seven others involved in the car accident were injured and taken by ambulance to Mt. Sinai Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital and Stroger Hospital. The alleged DUI driver was arrested and additional charges are reportedly pending.

Chicago Car Crash On Dan Ryan Kills 1

May 8, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a driver was killed in a three vehicle accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway early Friday morning. The accident happened in the southbound lanes around 4:20 a.m. The motorist killed was driving a minivan that hit a semi truck after the truck slammed on its brakes to avoid an accident. The trucker braked because a car in front of the truck had just hit the left side retaining wall and came to a complete stop in the center lane.

The Illinois State Police responded to the accident and are handling the investigation. Three lanes were initially closed after the accident, and two lanes remained closed for the morning rush hour. No tickets were reportedly issued.

If the family of the minivan driver retains a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer, they would likely pursue a claim against the driver in front that lost control and came to a stop on the expressway. While liability could be disputed, an insurance carrier would likely pay on the claim due to the severity of the accident. A claim against the truck driver’s insurance carrier would be investigated as well.

Chicago Area Driver Doing Her Nails Hits And Kills Motorcycle Rider

May 6, 2009 | By Dave Abels

A Lake Zurich, Illinois motorcyclist was killed by an Illinois driver who was distracted because she was painting her nails at the time of the accident, according to UPI.com. Anita Zaffke was on her bike stopped at a yellow light when she was rear-ended by an unidentified driver of a Chevy Impala.

The victim was thrown from her motorcycle and died from chest & abdominal injuries a short time later at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the car vs. motorcycle accident, and they have stated that it appears the motorcycle rider did nothing wrong and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The driver was ticketed with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. More serious charges are likely once the accident is reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyers On CBS News

May 4, 2009 | By Dave Abels

Chicago Injury Lawyers from Abels & Annes were on CBS News on Sunday in regard to a pedestrian accident case. Our client sustained sever head injuries after getting hit by a car on Good Friday. She had been in a coma since the collision until doctors brought her out of it last week.

The accident happened at the intersection of Irving Park Road and Austin Boulevard just after she left church services. She was crossing the street in a crosswalk and was hit by a car turning left that did not see her.

She was rushed by ambulance to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois for emergency surgery. During the procedure, a large piece of her skull had to be removed. The bone is frozen at the hospital and will be re-inserted in a future surgery.

Pedestrian Injured In Chicago Accident

May 1, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a pedestrian was seriously injured on Thursday, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. The pedestrian vs. car accident happened on the North Side around the intersection of LaSalle and Burton.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. The cause of the accident has not been reported and the investigation will be handled by the Major Accidents Investigations Unit of the Chicago Police Department.

We recently reported that pedestrian accidents have been increasing in Chicago. There are different theories as to the cause of the increase, but as a result the police have been cracking down on drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at Chicago intersections.

Chicago DUI Driver Crashes – Passenger Killed – Bond Set At $200,000

April 30, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a Lynwood woman, who was allegedly intoxicated, lost control of her car and crashed nearly two months ago, according to NWI.com. The accident resulted in the death of her passenger, a Chicago resident. Earlier this week in criminal court at 26th and California, bond was set at $200,000.

The bond is a “D Bond”, which means the defendant must post 10 percent of the bond to be released. Her next court date is set for May 18th for a preliminary hearing.

The car accident took place back on February 28, 2009 just before 3 am. (Statistically, 12 am – 3am is the most dangerous time to be on the road). The defendant was driving southbound on the Bishop Ford Expressway near 111th Street when she lost control of her car, drove into the left median, flipped over, and hit a tree.

Chicago Bike Rider Hit By Entrance To White Sox Parking

April 28, 2009 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago resident was hit by a car on Friday night while riding a bicycle past a White Sox parking lot. The accident happened on West 33rd Street just before the Sox game started. The bicyclist was eastbound in a bike lane when a driver did not see the bike when turning right into a fan parking lot.

The bike rider sustained right shoulder, clavicle and other injuries, and was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital for treatment. The hospital referred him to an orthopaedic physician for follow up treatment.

The Chicago Police Department investigated the accident and ticketed the driver with failing to yield the right-of-way. A court date has been set for June at the Daley Center.

Orland Park, Illinois Man Killed In Truck vs. Car Accident

April 26, 2009 | By Dave Abels

An elderly man from the southern Chicago suburb of Orland Park has been killed in a motor vehicle accident, according to the Southtown Star. It is alleged that his car ran a red light and was hit by a commercial truck in the intersection.

The car crash happened at 80th Ave. and Wheeler Drive on Thursday at around 3:45 pm when a southbound box truck slammed into a Toyota Corolla. The driver, Walter Zyck, 91 was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he later passed away from his injuries.

His car incurred serious damage and emergency workers had to extricate him from the vehicle. The Orland Park Police Department is investigating the accident and they are reportedly asking anyone who witnessed the occurrance to call (708) 349-4111.

Pregnant Pedestrian Hit By Car While Being Chased By Bear

April 24, 2009 | By Dave Abels

A 26 year old woman who was 6 months pregnant was hit by a car while fleeing from a bear in Colorado Springs, CO on Thursday, according to the Denver Post. The woman had gone for a lunch hour walk on a hiking trail when she crossed paths with a bear that was about 4 feet tall.

The woman started to quietly walk away, but when she saw the bear was coming towards her, she panicked and started running. The bear ran after her for around 20 seconds until the woman reached a road.

When she was in the street she was hit by a slow moving car. The driver then fled the scene without stopping to help. The pedestrian’s injuries were reportedly minor, and she was taken to an area hospital.

Chicago Rollover Car Accident Involving 2 Vehicles – 1 Killed

April 21, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a two vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 57 last Friday night resulted in the death of a 53 year old man, and criminal charges against one of the drivers involved, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The auto accident took place around 11:00 p.m. in the southbound lanes near Halsted Street.

One person died at the scene and two others were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with serious injuries. The victim, a South Side resident, was pronounced dead at Christ Medical Center less than an hour after the crash. An autopsy the next day determined that the he died from cervical injuries.

The Illinois State Police are handling the crash investigation. One of the drivers has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence, both felony charges.