Articles Posted in Car Accident

Nissan took a big step forward in the race to produce commercially viable autonomous, or self driving cars, announcing Tuesday that the Japanese auto maker will be selling autonomous models by 2020. It is no secret that Nissan has been working on the technology for a self driving car for some time as many other auto makers, including General Motors, Audi, Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen have, but the self imposed time limit of seven years from today took many by surprise.

Estimates earlier this year put autonomous technology as likely to be commercially used by 2025 – five years later than Nissan now says it will have its cars available for consumer purchase. Nissan has a history of meeting its aggressive production goals. Its chief executive claims that in 2007, Nissan pledged to make an all-electric car by 2010 and responded with the Nissan Leaf which has found commercial success in the American market.

Unlike the venture into fully electric cars, when it comes to an autonomous vehicle, Nissan claims that it will have several unique models of cars on the market in seven years, all utilizing its driving system known as Autonomous Drive. With the implemented technology, a car will be able to drive without a human actively controlling the car’s motions. From entering a highway to exiting, turning at an intersection and starting and stopping, the car’s internal computer will do it all.

Some current luxury vehicles on the market have some semi-autonomous features that have been well received by the public. Several use adaptive cruise control which keeps the car a specified distance from any car in front of it, slowing the car as necessary so that the risk of a rear end collision is decreased. Others automatically apply the brakes when a hazard is sensed in the road. The brakes can be applied even before a human has an opportunity to respond, increasing the odds that the vehicle will stop before a collision occurs. Another recent feature that is catching on is blindspot alert where a visual cue informs a driver when a vehicle is in a blind spot, making the driver aware that he or she should refrain from changing lanes until it is safe to do so.

New technology is improving the safety of vehicles on Illinois roads and increasing the chances that victims of car accidents will survive. The belief is that autonomous vehicles will further increase safety while also adding convenience to the lives of Americans. With the ability to set a course and then engage in other tasks while riding, the belief is that many common driving practices will be eliminated. It will no longer be necessary to focus on the road if you have a self driving car so an operator will be free to make phone calls or send text messages if desired. Adults who have been drinking may still be able to use their own vehicles to get home at the end of the night without threatening safety because a computerized car will be driving, not the drunk adult. Tired drivers would not be a threat and in fact, many may choose to nap while their car drives them from one place to another. Autonomous driving will reinvent national transportation from the daily commute to the family road trip.
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Authorities believe that a driver was distracted by a cell phone charger cord that was tangled around his steering wheel when he caused an accident on August 8, 2013.

The accident occurred in the 13900 block of South Cicero Avenue earlier this month. The at-fault driver reportedly was driving a Ford Taurus when he became distracted by his cell phone charger around 4:45 p.m. The Taurus turned into the rear passenger door of an SUV and caused a crash, leaving the family within the SUV injured. The occupants included a husband, wife, and their son. Both the husband and son survived with minor injuries and received treatment at Palos Community Hospital. The wife was initially transported to MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island but later was transferred to John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County for further treatment. According to her family, she survived for several days before succumbing to her injuries. Her family also indicated that the woman had a history of heart problems before the accident that may have been aggravated by the crash.

Police investigating the accident cited the driver of the Taurus for failing to reduce his speed to avoid an accident, improper lane usage, and driving without insurance on his car. It is unclear whether the driver will face any additional charges stemming from the death of the woman in the other vehicle.

When driving, distractions can arise in hundreds of different forms. Commonly, drivers may be distracted by eating, the radio, conversations within the car, or a cell phone or even by things outside of a vehicle like an accident or a flashy billboard. Though it may be human nature to be curious about some things and to divert your attention from the road, it is each driver’s job to stay focused on driving and to put the safety of other motorists first. When a driver allows distractions to divert his or her attention, accidents are much more likely to occur.

Many drivers believe that they are driving in a safe manner and that they are not distracted by anything while behind the wheel. Others believe that modern advances in technology mean that their use of technology makes them a safe driver. Despite these common beliefs, studies continue to show that a large number of drivers are distracted at some point throughout their daily drives and that technology may not reduce distraction rates significantly. Instead, these same studies show that drivers who use hands-free technology to make phone calls or text are still dangerous and are only moderately safer than those who do not use hands-free devices. The conclusion of decades worth of data indicates that it is the conversation itself and not the method of delivery that distracts thousands of drivers every day.
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Police have reported that an 84-year-old woman was behind the wheel when her car crashed through a local liquor store on Thursday. The woman reportedly hopped a curb and crashed through the front entrance of Binny’s Beverage Depot in Highland Park on Monday where her vehicle entered part of the store and came to rest between several stacks of liquor.

The woman states that she has never had an alcoholic drink in her life and that she believes her accelerator on her 1998 BMW may have stuck, causing her car to continue forward at Crossroads Shopping Center. The driver remained in her car until an employee of the liquor store helped her to safety. The crash also started a fire in the store that officials believe was fueled by the liquor itself.

Both the employee and the driver were taken to area hospitals where they were treated for minor injuries. Both are expected to fully recover and the driver has been released at this time. The current condition of the employee is not known. The store had a sprinkler system that helped keep the fire under control until fire fighters arrived. The blaze was extinguished shortly after fire officials arrived and eyewitnesses noted a large amount of smoke billowing from the building.

There has been no word on whether any customers were in the store at the time of the crash but several other employees were inside. None of them sustained any injuries but witnesses said that employees were covering their mouths as they exited the smoke-filled building. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash and it is not yet known if the driver will be cited for the accident.

Though the driver claimed that her accelerator stuck and caused the accident, that has not yet been confirmed and it is not clear whether the driver’s advanced age contributed to the crash. When a driver is negligent and causes an accident, though, the driver may face traffic charges or a civil claim for any injuries that result. The law requires every driver to act with due care and caution while behind the wheel and when a driver fails to do so, the driver breaks the law.

In a case like this, when a driver causes damages to the property of another, the driver may be forced to pay for the damages done. More importantly and often more significantly, the driver may also be responsible for paying for personal injuries caused in an accident. Victims of car accidents can bring civil claims for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

After an accident, often a victim is in shock and believes that they only suffered bumps and bruises. Many times, though, the full extent of injuries will only become apparent as time passes and may include broken bones, injuries to the neck or back, or trauma to the head. Some injuries can only be detected after swelling decreases meaning that it is impossible to address or treat some injuries immediately after an accident.
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A construction site and slowing traffic may be to blame for a multi-car collision on Wednesday morning that left one man dead. Authorities state that a 61-year-old man from Arlington Heights was driving his car, an Audi, on I-55 as he neared a work zone shortly before the intersection with I-80 outside of Joliet. Traffic began to slow and the man slowed as well.

Another driver behind the man failed to notice the slowing traffic and slammed into the back of the Audi. The Audi was behind a semi truck at the time and the force of the impact pushed the Audi underneath the truck’s trailer. The car that caused the accident, a Nissan, rolled over and struck a fourth vehicle in the area.

Both the driver of the Nissan and the driver of the Audi were injured in the crash and were transported to area hospitals. Though the driver of the Audi received emergency treatment and surgery was attempted, his injuries were too severe and he did not survive. There is no word on the current condition of the Nissan driver but officials described his injuries as non life threatening. He was cited in the crash for failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision.

On average, over 500 car accidents occur every day in Illinois. Some are minor and just result in damage to the vehicles but others are tragic and can leave one or more drivers dead. As this accident illustrates, often it is an innocent person who is following the law and the rules of the road that becomes the victim when another driver fails to pay attention.

There is no excuse for being distracted while driving. The Nissan driver in this case reportedly came over a small hill and noticed traffic was slowing but he was driving too fast to respond. His mistake set off a series of events that involved three other drivers in a major accident and took one loved one from his family. When this happens, a civil fine for a traffic violation may not seem like enough of a punishment for all the harm that was caused.

In addition to the traffic fine the Nissan driver reportedly received, he may face civil claims for injuries from the other drivers involved in the accident or any passengers that were in the cars. This may include a claim from the family of the man that was killed for their losses stemming from his death, or a claim from the driver of the truck or the driver of the fourth car, if either were hurt. The law allows these types of claims so that victims of accidents can get the funds necessary to undergo medical treatment and to return to normal as soon as possible.
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A 37-year-old Chicago man was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison after his speeding vehicle caused a crash that killed two back in 2011. The incident occurred near the intersection of Austin Avenue and Sunnyside Avenue. The defendant was reportedly speeding on Austin Avenue as he hurried to pick up his girlfriend on August 9, 2011 when he collided with a Honda Civic pulling out from Sunnyside.

The Civic was driven by a 35-year-old woman who was driving several children to Wisconsin for a camping trip. The woman was killed in the crash and so was her 16-year-old son, who was a student at Taft High School. In addition, the woman’s 3-year-old son suffered a broken leg and her stepson, a high school sophomore, sustained permanent vision and hearing loss on his left side. A 16-year-old friend of the family suffered a broken pelvis in the collision but survived.

In presenting its case, the State argued that the defendant was speeding down the street and was impaired by marijuana at the time. After the evidence was presented, a jury determined the defendant was not impaired after determining that the small level of marijuana detected in the defendant’s blood stream may have been through second hand exposure. The same jurors did convict the man on counts of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence which led to the 15 year prison sentence. He will have to serve at least 85 percent of that sentence, or 13 years, before being eligible for release.

The defendant apologized for his actions in court and admitted responsibility for the crash. He stated that speeding caused the collision and that alcohol or drugs played no part. According to the prosecutor, the defendant did not have a valid license at the time of the crash and had not had one since 2003.

Speeding is a common factor in many driver’s daily routines. While speeding may seem innocent and unlikely to lead to harm, in fact it is one of the most dangerous behaviors on the road. Speeding is estimated to be a factor in over 50 percent of all collisions across the nation. Though speeding causes so many crashes, drivers do not recognize the danger they pose to themselves and others when speeding on the road.
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A new study indicates that more than 8 percent of bridges in Illinois have structural problems that may lead to dangerous conditions for drivers in the state. The study was conducted by Transportation for America, an organization focused on improving American infrastructure, and reports that nationally, about 11 percent of bridges are in danger.

Many of the nation’s bridges and overpasses are old, causing much of the problem. With most designed intended for a 50 year life, the average age of America’s bridges hovering around 43 years means that the current problem will only increase in the future unless steps are taken soon.

According to the report, Illinois has 26,514 bridges and overpasses, of which 8.7 percent have been deemed structurally deficient. This designation is applied to bridges that need some immediate repair to an area that threatens safety.

In the past decade, there have been multiple bridge collapses that have garnered public attention. Some of those turned fatal with unsuspecting motorists losing their lives. This study indicates that more tragedies like this could continue to happen, claim the lives of many Americans and injuring others. Illinois is no exception as the state’s numerous highways and bodies of water mean there are bridges and overpasses everywhere.

Awareness of safety concerns related to aging bridges increases but the means to fix the bridges does not follow. Without a significant source of financial support, many of these structures will remain in their dangerous condition indefinitely, threatening drivers on a daily basis.

Though it is cruel, there may be little that an average citizen can do to rectify this situation until an accident happens. After that, a victim may have a claim against a city or state for allowing a dangerous bridge to remain in its dangerous condition while in use. But this does not eliminate the problem or prevent loss of life which means that it is a focus on the tragic outcome and not on prevention.
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Americans in Illinois and across the nation are gearing up for one of the biggest holidays of the year. As the 4th of July nears, families will be busy finalizing their plans, making sure travel arrangements are in order, and turning on the barbecue. One thing that may not be getting their focus is the safety of the roads around Independence Day and the significant risk posed by driving during the festivities.

It is unfortunate but the holiday that celebrates America’s independence is now linked with drunk driving, speeding, and recklessness on the roads. This combination results to create one of the deadliest days of the year to be a driver or a passenger on a road of any size and in any state in the nation. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 148 people will be killed on the road on the 4th, about 30 percent more than the standard average of 114 fatalities each day.

The increase in the number of traffic fatalities is one of the big reasons that many local law enforcement agencies use heavy patrols of city and county roads during times when celebrations are expected. The belief is that the increase in patrol will allow officers to apprehend dangerous driver before an accident occurs or even deter some drivers from acting negligent in the first place. If a driver notices a heavy police presence, the thought is that the driver may be less likely to text behind the wheel, blow through a stop sign, or speed. Any positive change in driving behavior can save a life.

Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs pose a threat to everyone in the vicinity, including passengers within their vehicle, other drivers, bicyclists, or even pedestrians. A driver affected by an intoxicating compound cannot adequately make the necessary decisions to ensure a safe drive which is why it is illegal to drive while under the influence. Yet when faced with the possibility of a celebration with families and friends, too many drivers forget this and choose to drive after drinking and people end up hurt or killed.
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A woman in Skokie hit the gas instead of the brake and it caused her to run into the front of a building that houses a cleaners, according to local authorities. Fortunately no one was killed but a baby that was in the store was injured and needed medical attention. Two other people were also hurt.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Skokie. The cleaners is located in the 4000 block of Golf Road, just west of the intersection with Crawford Avenue. The cleaners is part of a strip mall with one row of parking out front. Authorities have not said if the driver was parked before the crash but they have stated that no charges have been filed related to this incident.

It appears that the woman drove into a section of the front of the store that contained a glass entry door and a large glass window. The building, which is made of brick, reportedly sustained some damage. At the time of the crash, several people were inside the cleaners, including the owner, the owner’s father, the owner’s stepmother, and a baby. The baby was being held by the owner’s stepmother when the car came crashing in. The impact of the collision pushed the baby from the woman’s arms and caused the baby to fall underneath the car. The father of the baby was not in the cleaners at the time but responded to the collision. He backed up the car to free the baby and it appeared that the child was not hit by any of the car’s tires. The baby was, however, face down in the wreckage of what used to be the glass window and door. The baby was taken to an area hospital where doctors stated the baby suffered only minor injuries but would observe the baby for some time. Reports indicate that two other people suffered injuries. It is not clear whether one of those injured was the driver of the car.

It is not yet clear what caused the woman to press the gas pedal instead of the brake. Authorities have chosen not to release the age of the driver, allowing some in the area to speculate that she may be elderly. But accidents of this type are caused by drivers of all ages, not just the elderly. Being distracted while behind the wheel can increase the risk of accidentally traveling in an unintended direction as can simple negligence. Some of the biggest forms of distraction faced by Illinois drivers include cell phones, texting, eating or drinking, conversations with passengers, children and pets in the car, and even daydreaming. Whatever the cause, if a driver is not completely focused on the road, the driver is distracted and the chances of causing a collision increase significantly.
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Police who were investigating a Monday night crash in Gurnee now believe that the incident began when two cars were drag racing on Illinois Route 120. One of the drivers lost control, drove through the median and the car rolled over. Once the car came to a rest, it was clear that all the occupants were injured. A 16-year-old girl died from her injuries.

A Honda and a Ford Focus are believed to have been racing on the highway with both vehicles being driven by teenage males. Authorities believe that the 2004 Honda attempted to pass the 2000 Ford and was unsuccessful. The driver of the Honda made a second attempt and lost control, causing that vehicle to crash.

In addition to the 17-year-old male driver, there were three passengers in the Honda. A 16-year-old female and a 20-year-old male were backseat passengers and both are believed to have been ejected from the car upon impact. A front seat 18-year-old male, the 17-year-old driver, and the 20-year-old male were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where their conditions were not know.

The Ford was reportedly driven by a 19-year-old male and it was loaded with a 13-year-old female, a 15-year-old female, and a 16-year-old male. The Ford did not crash and there were no injuries in that vehicle.

Friends say that the teenagers were friends and that the drivers met up at a gas station in Grayslake earlier that day. The occupants of the Honda are believed to have been swimming at a friend’s pool earlier in the day and it is not clear where they were heading at the time of the crash.

Now both drivers face charges related to the incident. The driver of the Honda has been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated street racing, and driving without a valid license and without insurance. The driver of the Ford has been charged with aggravated street racing and having an expired vehicle registration.

Drag racing is incredibly dangerous for those involved and for other drivers on the road. It takes only a slight error or over-correction to send a speeding car out of control and into another vehicle or barrier. When this happens, people are likely to get hurt. In addition to the criminal and traffic charges pending against the two drivers in this case, they may face civil claims by those who were injured or by the family of the young girl who lost her life. The law allows victims to bring a claim for recovery against a negligent driver so that the driver can be held responsible for his actions.
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Downtown Chicago will celebrate the recent Blackhawks victory with a celebratory parade on Friday morning. The parade will begin near the United Center on Washington Street and Des Plaines Avenue and will travel east along Washington until it reaches Michigan Avenue, where the route will briefly jog north to Randolph and then south along Congress. The parade is set to being at 10:30 a.m. and will conclude near Grant Park with a rally scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Hutchinson Field.

The parade will remind many in the city of the same celebration that took place after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010. But there will be some differences as police and city officials learned from that celebration and will make changes to make the 2013 parade even better. There will be barricades along the parade route and neither alcohol nor backpacks will be allowed in Grant Park. Access to Grant Park will be controlled and police will be searching bags of those who intend to participate in the rally. All of this is designed to keep the city safe, but there is only so much that the police can do to prevent incidents from occurring.

One thing to keep in mind is the possibility of vehicle-related accidents. With an expected 1.2 to 1.3 million participating in Friday’s events, the city will be bustling with activity. Blockades on the streets will force drivers to take alternative routes that may be confusing or less familiar to them. These drivers may also be looking for elusive parking spaces so they can enjoy the parade and once these cars are parked, their occupants will become pedestrians traveling the streets and sidewalks of the city. With a large number of vehicles and a large number of pedestrians present, chances are good that an incident between the two groups will occur. When a pedestrian is struck by a car, injuries almost always result and often the pedestrian is killed.

City officials are encouraging the use of public transportation on Friday to reduce vehicular traffic as much as possible. In addition to the CTA buses and trains within the city, Metra trains are offering a special $5 pass for travel on Friday to encourage suburban commuters to use the train. Pedestrians and parade-watchers are being strongly encouraged to heed the directions of police officers and to mind all barriers along the streets. The City of Chicago has warned that those who cross over parade barriers will risk arrest by doing so.

In addition to the pedestrian and vehicular congestion that is expected in Chicago, history suggests that there may be a lot of alcohol consumed, adding to some of the dangers that are already present. While the risk of drinking and driving is often publicized, it is important to realize that drinking in public while walking downtown has risks of its own. Alcohol makes pedestrians less aware of their surroundings and less cautious when crossing a street which can lead to collisions.
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