Articles Posted in Car Accident

Thousands of different factors can lead to or even cause a car accident in Chicago. While the possibilities are nearly endless, some are more frequent than others. Among common collision-related factors are failing to yield the right-of-way, following too closely for safety, and ignoring a traffic control device like a traffic light or stop sign. Yet the most common factor believed to be present in accidents across the nation, though, is speeding. According to national studies and surveys, speed is believed to be a factor in nearly 50 percent of all collisions, whether it is a contributing factor or the sole cause. Despite the clear evidence that speed can be dangerous, a large number of drivers surveyed continue to admit that they speed on occasion and that they find it safer than some other traffic-related issues.

When a collision occurs, the laws in Chicago and in Illinois make it clear that the person responsible for the accident, whether it is an at-fault driver, an owner of a car, or even a corporation or company, should bear the financial costs of all the damages that result. This means that victims may be entitled to payment for their losses to help them recover financially as well as helping them secure the medical help they need. It is the right of victims to seek this compensation but these claims must be brought within a time period specified by the law, so if you have been involved in an accident, you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected if you have a valid claim.

Late Friday night, a collision occurred on the Dan Ryan Expressway near 87th Street that involved two vehicles and led to the amputation of a victim’s hand, according to Illinois State Police. At this time, witnesses have reported that a vehicle driven by a 21-year-old man shortly after 10:00 p.m. was speeding when it collided with a second car driven by a 59-year-old woman. The impact send the woman’s car rolling and it came to a stop on its hood. According to witnesses, the 21-year-old male driver initially left his car and ran to the car of the victim but then fled the scene when police arrived. The suspect’s license plates were noted before he fled, though, and authorities arrested the man a short time later. At this time, the suspect has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident but more charges are possible depending on the outcome of a blood alcohol test and an ongoing investigation by local authorities.

The 59-year-old driver of the second vehicle was seriously injured in the accident and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. Among her injuries was serious damage to her hand and doctors had to amputate it. Her current condition and the rest of her injuries are not known at this time.
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Do you drive in the city of Chicago or are you an occasional passenger in a car, truck, bus, or taxi cab? If so, when you enter the vehicle, do you consider the time of day as a factor in your safety? It might sound strange but statistically, car accidents are not equally spread across the 24 hours of every day. Instead, there are times of the day and days of the week more likely to produce collisions than other. Rush hours, both in the morning and in the evening, are notorious for weekday car crashes, in part because of the large number of vehicles on the roads during these times. However, late night and early morning hours also experience significant collisions, and usually, heavy traffic does not play a role. Rather, distracted driving, motorists who are tired or sleepy, and those under the influence of alcohol or drugs are involved in collisions more often in these late hours than during the daytime, making nighttime driving risky to all who are on the roads.

Car accidents in the Chicago area may involve one or multiple vehicles and may range from the minor to the fatal. Often, it is innocent victims who are left to suffer the harm caused by a collision, whether that harm takes the form of a physical injury, pain and suffering, or even lost wages that a victim must miss. The laws in the state are on the side of victims and are designed to hold negligent drivers liable for their actions, so if a car crash has affected your life, you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about the law as it applies to your collision and whether you have a valid claim.

Shortly before 2:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, two vehicles collided in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago near the 5400 block of West Chicago Avenue, according to local police. Officials have reported that their investigation is ongoing but that they believe both vehicles were traveling in the same direction when the rear vehicle collided with the car in front, sending both vehicles careening out of control. The first vehicle struck a brick wall off the roadway’s surface while the rear vehicle struck a pole in the area, bringing both vehicles to a stop.

Between the two vehicles, five people were injured and were in need of medical help. Four of those victims were in serious condition with undisclosed injuries, but it is not clear whether either driver involved was among the seriously hurt.

While the investigation continues, officials are trying to determine what caused the rear-end crash and whether negligence played a role. Among other factors, they are trying to determine whether speed or distraction played a role.
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Car accidents are tragic collisions that usually are caused by the mistakes of one or more drivers involved. The fact that the vast majority of collisions are preventable make them all the more tragic, especially when a victim is injured or killed. While a collision can occur to any driver in the state of Illinois, some types of motorists are more likely to be involved than others. Particularly, teenage drivers and elderly motorists are involved in a disproportionately large number of Chicago car accidents every year.

While teenage drivers lack the experience necessary to make educated decisions behind the wheel, the issues facing elderly drivers are more complex. As motorists age, they may suffer from medical conditions that make driving difficult. Decreased eyesight, including the presence of cataracts or glaucoma, can make it challenging for a driver to see oncoming traffic, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Prescription and over-the-counter medication may interfere with an elderly driver’s thinking capabilities and may lead to mistakes. Serious diseases that affect older Americans disproportionately may lead a driver to become confused, unsure of where he or she may be or what needs to be done. These diseases can include things like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Regardless of the factors that lead to a car accident involving an elderly driver in Chicago, the results can be similar. If a victim is injured or killed in that crash, the victim or the victim’s surviving family members may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been the victim of an accident.

What began as a car accident turned deadly on Wednesday in Aurora, according to local police. It appears that an 84-year-old female driver attempted to back out of a driveway, but in doing so, struck a vehicle and caused a crash. The woman attempted to back up after the crash and may have lost control of her vehicle, then drove into two yards near the area after the initial impact. A 51-year-old man in the area witnessed the woman at a loss of control and ran towards her vehicle in an attempt to render aid. The driver’s door of the vehicle was open and the man reportedly attempted to place his foot inside the vehicle to manually press the brake pedal because the vehicle was still traveling backward. Police believe that the driver struck the gas pedal at the time the man’s foot was inside the vehicle, sending the car backward even farther and causing the open door to collide with the man and throw him to the ground.

Emergency crews responded to the scene of the accident and assessed the Good Samaritan for injuries. He struck his head on the pavement when he was hit by the car door and was in critical condition when crews transported him to an area hospital for treatment. Shortly thereafter, the man was airlifted to Good Samaritan Hospital but his injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the incident.

At this time, the elderly driver involved is facing a ticket for improper backing but the investigation into this incident is ongoing. It is unclear whether any other charges will be brought. Neither the woman nor the driver of the second car involved in the crash were hurt.
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Traffic safety often makes drivers and passengers think about car accidents in Chicago and across the state of Illinois. The typical image of an accident involves two cars colliding due to a mistake on the part of one driver, whether that mistake was speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield the right-of-way. While this may be the popular image thought of in the city, it is far from the only type of collision that occurs. In fact, every year, thousands of car accidents involving only a single car take place in Illinois.

Every single car accident in Chicago involves a unique set of facts and therefore different legal options may result for the victims who are harmed in those accidents. Some of these collisions may be caused by bad weather conditions while others may result from a mechanical malfunction. In some instances, a driver may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Yet in other cases, speed, lack of driving skills, or other factors may cause or contribute to a one vehicle accident. Regardless of the cause of the crash, if you were hurt in a collision, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. A recovery may be possible to provide you with payments you need to cover your medical and rehabilitation expenses, wages missed while you were off work, and your pain and suffering, among other losses. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your rights, and whether you have a valid claim, if you have been involved in a Chicago car accident.

Shortly before 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, police responded to the scene of a single vehicle car accident on Birdewell Drive in Burr Ridge. When they arrived, they found the driver of a Mercedes trapped inside the vehicle and a passenger laying on the ground nearby. At this time, police believe that a 24-year-old man was behind the wheel of a Mercedes when he left the road’s surface, struck a tree, and continued into a parking lot of a steak house. The vehicle collided with the restaurant and knocked some bricks free but did not do substantial structural damage, according to officials.

The force of the crash caused the vehicle to roll over and eject the passenger, a 23-year-old woman. When emergency crews arrived, they assessed both the driver and the passenger and transported each to area hospitals for treatment. Unfortunately, the passenger’s injuries were too severe and she died in the early morning hours on Thursday. The driver survived but is listed in critical condition with injuries that have not been specified.

Several people inside the restaurant and at least one passing motorists reportedly witnessed the incident and spoke with investigating officers regarding the crash. Authorities began their investigation on scene on Wednesday night but are now proceeding remotely as the scene has been cleared. Official have not released a determination as to why the driver left the road and struck the tree, beginning the incident, but they have stated that the road at issue is curvy in the area where the collision occurred.
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Numerous taxi cab companies operate within the city limits of Chicago, transporting passengers from one end to another, from home to work, or from school to home. Though the cab companies may vary in some respects, in many respects they are required to comply with standards applicable to all taxi companies, including fare structures, maximum occupancy, and certain insurance requirements. The City of Chicago also has other means to control the cabs that travel their streets, thus restricting the overall number of vehicles and trying to keep the market from becoming flooded. One of the methods to control cabs is through the issuance and requirement that cabs operate under medallions, a basic licensing requirement for those who wish to run a taxi in the city.

The regulations imposed on taxi cabs are designed to control the actions of cab drivers as well as increasing the safety for passengers, motorists, and pedestrians in the area. Yet the taxi specific regulations are not the only ones facing cab drivers; additionally, all traffic rules and regulations must be followed, and failure to abide by the law may lead to traffic or criminal charges. Often, the severity of any punishments levied increase when a collision results and one or more people involved sustain injuries. In addition to charges brought by local or state officials, though, cab companies and cab drivers who cause accidents may be held financially liable for the injuries that result if a victim chooses to bring a civil claim for a monetary recovery. A personal injury lawyer who handles Chicago taxi accidents on behalf of victims may be able to provide you information regarding your rights if you have been hurt in a collision.

A collision between a taxi cab and a pedestrian in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago back in August turned fatal when the victim died on Friday morning. According to witnesses, the crash took place in the 1400 block of North LaSalle around 2:00 a.m. on August 30, 2014 . A cab traveling in the same area as a pedestrian came upon the pedestrian, a 26-year-old female, and struck her, leading to serious injuries that required extensive medical care.

Police responded to the scene of the collision and spoke with witnesses and reportedly the driver of the cab. Thus far, the driver has been cited for failing to reduce the speed of the vehicle to avoid a crash with a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. It is possible that additional charges will be issued following Friday’s passing of the victim though there has been no official word from local authorities on that point at this time.
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The laws in Chicago and Illinois are designed to hold those who act in a negligent manner as responsible for all the damages that result. This often comes into play in the context of a car accident, hundreds of thousands of which occur within the state every year. The laws enable the victims of car accidents to seek financial relief through the use of a civil claim for damages, a legal option that is separate and distinct from any traffic tickets or criminal allegations made by local authorities.

The right to seek relief belongs to the victims of car crashes so an at-fault driver cannot block or prevent these claims from occurring. Speaking with a lawyer in the Chicago area who has experience helping injury victims, including those who have been involved in car collisions, may help you understand the laws as they apply to your case, including whether you have a valid claim for relief.

A significant collision occurred in northern Schaumburg yesterday morning at the intersection of Higgins Road and Martingale Road. According to witnesses, one vehicle was stopped at the intersection, waiting for a red light to turn to green. Three other vehicles were in the area when a crash occurred, involving all four vehicles and leaving six people with injuries.

Police and ambulances responded to the scene and evaluated all those involved. The six victims needed additional medical treatment and were transported to area hospitals where their conditions are not known, though all victims were expected to survive. The nature of their injuries have not been disclosed.

Police are still reviewing information related to the collision and are in the process of determining what caused the four-car crash. As the investigation unfolds, it is possible that one or more of the drivers involved will be issued a traffic ticket.
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Car accidents are the number one cause of unintentional death among teens ages 15 through 19 across the nation. Unfortunately, Chicago experiences a number of these deaths every year. But teens and other inexperienced drivers are far from the only ones at risk of death or serious injury in a car accident. In fact, any driver or passenger in Chicago can be involved in a crash, even if that driver is operating in a safe manner. The actions of others on the road can determine whether or not a collision occurs and whether or not injuries result.

There are hundreds of reasons why collisions occur, including speeding, driving while intoxicated, a mechanical failure, poor weather conditions, and poor road design. In some cases, it can be difficult to determine the facts that led up to and eventually caused an accident.

When negligence or a mistake by one or more individuals involved causes a collision to occur, anyone injured in the crash may be entitled to seek relief for the injuries sustained. This can include any medical expenses incurred or likely to be incurred in the future, nursing and rehabilitative care, pain and suffering, and even lost wages for time missed from work. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who handles car accident claims may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief if you have been hurt in an accident.

In the worst instances, one or more people involved lose their lives in a car crash. Though no amount of compensation can ever adequately compensate for these loses, the victim’s surviving family members may have a right to seek a recovery to help ease the financial burden left after their loved one’s passing.

Police in Chicago have reported a tragic accident that occurred on Saturday morning along Lake Shore Drive. According to officials, a car with at least three occupants was traveling along the busy street around 4:30 in the morning when the driver lost control and crashed into a pole. Officials are not sure what caused the driver to lose control at this time and are still investigating the incident to determine whether negligence was involved.

The incident happened just south of the I-55 ramp and claimed the life of a 29-year-old man who had been in the car at the time of the impact. Two other individuals, both believed to be in their 20s, were in the vehicle as well. They survived and were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical conditions.
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Drivers in Chicago may be surprised to know that every year, vehicles in the city leave the surface of a road and collide with a fixed structure like a building or a house, often leaving those inside the vehicle injured and in some cases, harming those in the structure itself. The causes of these collisions vary from impaired drivers to poorly designed roads and even distractions like texting behind the wheel. Regardless of the underlying cause, though, negligence is often to blame.

When negligence or a mistake on the part of someone involved in a car crash is responsible for a collision that leaves a victim injured, the victim or victims may be entitled to seek relief under the laws of Chicago. This relief can be sought through a civil claim for damages, a type of claim that is separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought by local authorities. In fact, even if an at-fault driver is not ticketed in a collision, a victim of that crash may still be able to recover for his or her injuries. Speaking with a lawyer who represents personal injury victims may help you understand whether you are entitled to relief and, if so, what claim or claims may be available to you.

Police in Chicago were called to the scene of a collision involving one car in the West Pullman neighborhood around 5:15 am. At the scene, officials were able to determine that a car left the roadway near West 119th Street and South Eggleston Avenue, colliding with a corner of a building and coming to a stop inside the structure. The building is believed to have had a glass storefront that broke upon impact with the car.

Three people, including the driver, were inside the vehicle at the time of the incident and all were seriously injured. Paramedics responded to the crash and assessed all three before transporting them to Advocate Christ Medical Center. As of this morning, their conditions were all serious-to-critical; the current state of the victims is not known.

Officials are still trying to determine what caused the collision and whether reckless or negligent conduct played a role. The building was damaged in the crash but fortunately no one inside the building was hurt.
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If you live in, work in, or visit Chicago on occasion, chances are you have taken at least one ride in a taxi cab. Taxis are everywhere in the city, making them a convenient form of transportation when traveling for work or for pleasure. Drivers tend to be knowledgeable about the city’s streets and can get a passenger to a specified location with little trouble, at least in most cases.

But few riders understand the structure of cab companies and the local and state laws that govern them. Many of these laws are designed to protect the rights of a passenger in the event the taxi cab is involved in an accident, whether or not the cab driver was to blame for the crash. In fact, Illinois law requires that cabs carry personal injury insurance of at least $350,000 for any crash so that those who are injured may be able to receive relief. Speaking with a lawyer who represents the victims of taxi cab accidents in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash.

Often, those hurt in a cab collision may be able to recover for their medical and surgical expenses, lost wages, permanency of injuries, and pain and suffering as well as other damages that result. These claims are authorized by law so that the victims of a taxi cab accident are not forced to endure the financial burden accompanied by the accident but rather to place that burden on the driver, owner, or other individual or entity responsible for the crash. However, the laws require that these claims be brought within a specified period of time following the incident or the right to bring the claim will be lost.

A taxi cab was involved in an accident yesterday morning in Chicago, leaving four people with injuries and in need of medical treatment. At about 2:30 a.m., an SUV allegedly ran a red light while traveling northbound on Michigan Avenue, striking a taxi cab that was on East Congress Parkway. The driver of the SUV, a 28-year-old man, and the driver of the taxi, whose age is unknown at this time, were both injured and transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County by emergency medical personnel. Their current conditions are not clear. There were two passengers in the cab, a 32-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman. Both were taken to Northwestern Hospital following the crash.
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Hundreds of car accidents happen in Chicago and the rest of Illinois every day. They range from minor collisions to serious wrecks that claims the lives of those involved. In the best cases, no one is hurt in a car crash and everyone can walk away with only damage to a vehicle or vehicles involved. But with an average of more than 700 daily accidents, a number of these collisions leave behind victims with injuries.

In the unfortunate event that a driver’s negligence or recklessness causes a collision that results in injuries, the victims of that crash may be entitled to relief in the form of financial compensation. This can be achieved through the use of a civil claim which belongs to the victims and it is the victims who have the ability to pursue this avenue of relief. Civil claims for damages can help an injured person recover financially for the cost of medical bills incurred, wages missed from work, and pain and suffering endured as a result of the accident. These claims are available to victims whether or not an at-fault driver was cited in an accident or whether the responsible individual was found guilty for his or her actions in a traffic or criminal court of law. Speaking with a lawyer who handles car accident cases on behalf of victims may help you understand whether you have a valid claim and whether you may be entitled to relief.

Police in Crystal Lake were notified of a collision yesterday evening and responded to the scene of the crash on Pyott Road, south of Rakow Road. When they arrived, police determined that three vehicles were involved in the incident and that the crash was seriously, leaving many victims in need of medical help.

It appears that a Toyota was driving southbound shortly before 6:00 p.m. when the driver of the Toyota crossed into a lane designated for northbound traffic only. The Toyota collided with a northbound Honda which caused the driver of the Honda to lose control and strike a Chevrolet, which was also driving northbound.

The driver of the Toyota sustained life threatening injuries and was transported by emergency medical personnel to Centegra-Northern Illinois Medical Center for treatment but the driver’s current condition is not known. The driver of the Honda was too badly injured and died as a result of the crash. The driver and a passenger of the Chevrolet were both injured and transported to Sherman Hospital but officials stated that both were expected to survive.

Police are still investigating the incident and trying to determine the factors that led to the crash, including whether the Toyota crossed the center line, and if so, what led to that driver’s actions. In addition to reviewing evidence at the scene, police officers were also attempting to speak with witnesses who may have additional information regarding the collision.
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