An August car accident that killed a Chicago motorcycle rider has resulted in felony DUI charges against the car’s driver.
The 47-year-old North Ashland Avenue woman has been charged with aggravated DUI in connection with the Chicago car accident that killed a North Side motorcyclist, ABC7 reported.
The case made news after a nurse sued the city after she reported being arrested by police for failing to give a blood test to the woman charged, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
With Illinois bikers hitting the street in big numbers through the Labor Day weekend and the media focusing on the increase in motorcycle fatalities, the Illinois State Police have announced a new initiative aimed at motorcycle awareness.
The Chicago Sun-Times recently reported Illinois motorcycle accidents are up 22 percent, from 2,180 in 2007 to 2,663 last year.
The Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes urge riders and motorists to do your part in reducing motorcycle accidents. Many accidents are caused by other vehicles who either don’t take the time to look for motorcycles or misjudge how fast the much-smaller motorcycles are approaching.
As we reported in a blog last month, fatality statistics are sobering for motorcycle riders across the country. Nationwide, motorcycle fatalities increased for the 11th straight year and accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A total of 5,290 riders were killed in 2008, compared to 5,174 in 2007. The increase came in a year when federal statistics revealed a steep drop in virtually every other category, including a 13 percent decline in motor vehicle fatalities.
On Friday, Illinois State Police Director Jonathon E. Monken was joined by the Illinois Department of Transportation and State Farm Insurance Company to announce efforts to increase motorcycle safety awareness.
“The Illinois State Police continues its commitment towards reducing traffic fatalities to record setting levels through enforcement and education efforts,” said ISP Director Jonathon Monken. “Tragically, however, one area that is quickly on the rise nationally is motorcycle fatalities. We hope by partnering with State Farm and the Illinois Department of Transportation in order to call attention to the nationwide increase in motorcycle fatalities, we will also emphasize motorcycle safety awareness.”The ISP encourages motorcyclists to take a rider safety course to hone their riding skills, and offers the following safety tips for new riders all the way up to seasoned veterans:
– Although Illinois does not mandate wearing a motorcycle helmet, use of approved helmets, protective body wear, boots and gloves is strongly recommended.
– Improve your visibility by wearing brightly colored clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night.
– Be alert for animals alongside and on the roadway, not only in rural areas, but in urban areas as well.
– Don’t ride beyond 80% of your riding capabilities. To do so leaves no margin for the unexpected.
– When riding with another motorcycle, stagger your position. This allows both riders to take evasive action safely should the need occur.
– Don’t become fixed on what’s just beyond your front tire. Be aware of what’s ahead. Safe riders remain aware of developing situations 12-16 seconds ahead. This includes other vehicles, potholes, roadway obstructions, and other potential hazards. This allows time to plan and react in a controlled manner.
– Oil, grease and other fluids from cars and trucks generally collects in the middle of the lane. Avoid these potentially slick areas by riding in the normal wheel tracks of these vehicles.
– In the event emergency braking is required, remember motorcycles have far better stopping capabilities than cars and trucks. As you’re avoiding the hazard, scan for a safe escape route while watching for vehicles approaching from behind.
– Before proceeding through an intersection, check left, check front, check right, and check left again. Checking left first is important because this is the first lane you cross. Continue to scan in the intersection in a clockwise pattern, checking traffic approaching in front, in case that vehicle turns left in front of you. 77% of motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle happen in this manner.
– Don’t lend your motorcycle to someone without knowing his or her skill level and making sure they have the proper license.
– Don’t drink and ride. Alcohol slows reactions and impairs function.
The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes have been advocating motorcycle safety on our blog throughout the summer.
Our summer blog on motorcycle safety can be found by clicking here
Click here to read our post on 10 things all drivers should know about motorcycles.
A new federal study released last month found one in every seven nighttime weekend drivers tested positive for drugs.
The Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes urge weekend drivers to remain on the lookout for erratic drivers. Studies have long shown drivers are most likely to be drunk and driving between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
While the study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the percentage of motorists driving drunk continued to decline, the study for the first time tested for drug use and the results were sobering:
– 16.3 percent of nighttime weekend drivers were drug positive.
– Marijuana (8.6 percent)
– Cocaine (3.9 percent)
– Medications (3.9 percent)
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he is concerned about the prevalence of drivers who use drugs.
“I’m pleased to see that our battle against drunk driving is succeeding,” said Secretary LaHood. “However, alcohol still kills 13,000 people a year on our roads and we must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to prevent drunk driving.”
The percentage of drunk drivers identified in the survey has fallen from 7.5 percent in 1973 to 2.2 percent in the most recent survey. This study was the first to measure for the presence of drugs.
“This troubling data shows us, for the first time, the scope of drugged driving in America, and reinforces the need to reduce drug abuse,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. “Drugged driving, like drunk driving, is a matter of public safety and health. It puts us all at risk and must be prevented.”
The NHTSA is conducting further research to assess how drug traces correspond to driver impairment since some drugs can remain in the body for days or even weeks.
Among the findings of the latest roadside survey:
– The percentage of male drivers with illegal BAC levels was 42 percent higher than the percentage of alcohol-impaired female drivers.
– Drivers were more likely to be illegally drunk during late nighttime hours (1 a.m. to 3 a.m.) than during daytime or early evening hours.
– Motorcycle riders were more than twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to be drunk (5.6 percent compared with 2.3 percent).
– Pickup truck drivers were the next most likely to have illegal BACs (3.3 percent).
The Chicago-Sun Times is reporting about the ongoing increase in motorcycle fatalities, thanks in part to more riders, rising gas prices and increased interest in riding.
Nationwide, motorcycle fatalities increased for the 11th straight year and accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A total of 5,290 riders were killed nationwide in 2008, compared to 5,174 in 2007. That’s in sharp contrast to the drop in fatality rates in virtually every other category, including a 13 percent decline in motor vehicle fatalities.
The Sun-Times reported that the combination of inexperienced riders and drivers who aren’t used to seeing so many cycles on the road have helped push the number of motorcycle crashes in the seven-county region to 2,663 last year.
That’s up 22 percent from 2,180 just two years earlier, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
In Cook County alone, the number was 1,654 in 2008 — up 26 percent from 2006.
Overall, the number of motorcycles registered in Cook County and the adjacent counties was up 6 percent last year over 2006, according to figures from the Illinois secretary of state’s office.
The Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers and injury attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to watch out for motorcyclists and bikers, and to drive & ride safely.
Now through Labor Day is the height of bike season in Illinois and bikers are often injured or killed by cars that pull into their path because they either don’t look or they misjudge the speed of the smaller motorcycle.
The Chicago motorcycle attorneys at Abels & Annes are active in promoting motorcycle safety and awareness.
Please take a moment and review our blog on 10 things driver should know about motorcycles.
Our look at the impact of distracted driving and motorcycle accidents.
And our blog on Summer Motorcycle Safety.
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A Chicago motorcycle rider was killed Friday night when his motorcycle collided with a friend, sending him into a wall on the Dan Ryan Expressway, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Chicago Breaking News Center identified the victim as a 49-year-old Chicago resident. He was declared dead just before midnight at Stroger Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
The crash happened near 29th Street on the Dan Ryan and may have involved speed and/or alcohol, according to state police.
Illinois reduced fatal accidents across the board in 2008, even seeing a drop in fatal motorcycle accidents, despite a rise in motorcycle deaths nationwide, which increased from 5,174 deaths in 2007 to 5,290 deaths in 2008.
Chicago accident lawyers at Abels & Annes are publishing the results of the annual release of accident data by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While the Chicago area is still the state’s most dangerous, the reduction in fatal accidents is certainly good news for motorists.
Yet getting into an automobile is the most dangerous thing most of us do on a daily basis. Frequent review of safe-driving habits is always a good idea. And those who are injured through no fault of their own have a right to recover damages from a negligent driver.
More than 700 of this year’s fatal accidents — or 7 of every 10 fatal crashes — were caused by just two of the roads deadliest violators: drunk drivers and speeders.
Traffic Fatalities
Total: 1,043 in 2008 compared to 1,248 in 2007
Rural: 501 in 2008 compared to 433 in 2007
Urban: 609 in 2008 compared to 747 in 2007
Passenger vehicle occupant fatalities
Restrained: 722 in 2008 compared to 861 in 2007
Unrestrained: 339 in 2008 compared to 395 in 2007
Alcohol-impaired fatalities
362 in 2008 compared to 439 in 2007
Speed-related fatalities
385 in 2008 compared to 523 in 2007
Motorcycle fatalities
Total: 133 in 2008 compared to 157 in 2007
Helmeted: 32 in 2008 compared to 28 in 2007
Unhelmeted: 96 in 2008 compared to 121 in 2007
Drivers involved in fatal crashes
Total: 1,434 in 2008 compared to 1,709 in 2007
Aged Under 15: 4 in 2008 compared to 2 in 2007
Aged 15-20: 142 in 2008 compared to 252 in 2007
Aged under 21: 146 in 2008 compared to 254 in 2007
Aged 21 and over: 1,255 in 2008 compared to 1,415 in 2007.
Pedestrians
135 in 2008 compared to 171 in 2007
After failed attempts to reach a settlement, car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have filed a lawsuit against a driver who is insured by State Farm. The claim arises out of an automobile vs. motor scooter collision which took place on June 25, 2008.
Our client was riding his motorized scooter westbound on Lawrence Ave. in Chicago, Illinois. The car in front of him had stopped to make a left turn and then came to a stop behind the car stopped in front of him.
The defendant was driving her Buick Century westbound on Lawrence Ave. She failed to stop for stopped traffic and struck the plaintiff. The front end of her vehicle hit the rear of the scooter. The force of the impact threw our client off the scooter and injured him. He landed on the pavement on his back.
The lawsuit alleges the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop for stopped traffic, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiff.
Following the collision the plaintiff had an immediate onset of head, neck, back and left foot pain. That night his condition worsened and he was unable to sleep.
Due to his worsening symptoms our client sought medical treatment the next day at an Urgent Care Center. He complained mostly of head and back pain. A history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed.
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The tough economy is forcing people to reduce their automobile insurance, increase their deductibles, shop for cheaper coverage and, in some cases, even cancel their insurance.
The Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to carry as much uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as they can afford. Reducing expenses by reducing auto insurance is shortsighted at best — the cost is minimal compared to the expense of being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
The Insurance Research Council reports that a recent survey found 15 percent of those surveyed said they had increased their deductibles or reduced their coverage in order to reduce their premium costs.
Nine percent of those surveyed said they canceled or did not renew vehicle coverage in response to the economic downturn.
Encouragingly, the survey found most homeowners and drivers have continued their insurance coverage, even if they shopped for a lower rate.
“These findings confirm that most Americans recognize the importance of maintaining essential insurance coverage on their homes and cars,” said Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC. “But they also show that Americans are willing to shop and reevaluate their insurance needs in order to reduce insurance costs.”
And a proposal awaits the signature of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn that would make failure to carry auto insurance a criminal offense, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Current law allows for a fine of up to $1,000 and license suspension of up to 6 months.
Chicago car accident attorney Dave Abels was recently interviewed about the new law and blogged about the inadequacy of the state’s mandatory minimum insurance of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.
The new law is tougher, but still not tough enough.
Here is the big problem with the insurance law in Illinois. The minimum coverage is still $20,000 per person, and $40,000 per occurrence. No amount of money is going to bring a loved one back or make a family whole again, but $20,000 is a slap in the face. (I have handled car accident death cases where the victim incurred over $500,000 in medical bills before passing away).
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
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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
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