Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 281,788 automobile collisions in Illinois in 2011 alone. In those accidents, more than 84,000 people sustained injuries and 918 people were killed. These numbers are very large and they show how prevalent motor vehicle accidents are and how many people are affected by collisions in a single year.
Safety continues to be at the forefront of automobile innovation and advances in this area have led to a decrease in the number and severity of injuries as well as the number of fatalities that result from crashes when compared to the numbers several decades ago. Yet even with all of the best safety advances, a driver or a passenger can be injured or killed in a crash. Experts all agree that the only way to guarantee that no one gets hurt is to prevent a collision from ever occurring.
Collision prevention is the goal but drivers must be willing to do their parts for this to happen. Chicago area car accident lawyers know that today, many crashes occur due to driver error, whether that is operating under the influence of an intoxicating substance, failing to pay attention to the road, or not possessing the skills necessary to drive a vehicle in a safe and cautious manner.
One of the most dangerous types of collisions is a head-on crash where the front ends of two vehicles collide, generally as they travel in opposite directions. The impact produced in these crashes is generally violent and is more likely to cause injuries than other types of collisions, meaning that drivers involved in a head-on crash are more likely to suffer serious injury or death than those involved in a rear-end or other accident.
Unfortunately several drivers learned this first hand on Sunday as they were driving in Kane County near Route 38 and Elburn. Police believe that a 23-year-old female driver crossed the center line and entered the path of travel of another vehicle, causing a serious collision that left the 23-year-old dead. The driver of the other car, a 40-year-old man, and his 32-year-old female passenger both sustained serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
The 40-year-old man had to be airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital due to the severe nature of his injuries but authorities expect him to survive. His passenger is also expected to live but the extent of their injuries are not currently known.
At this point in time, no tickets have been issued and police are still investigating why the 23-year-old woman crossed the center line. What is clear is that this tragic accident took one life and altered others forever.
If you have been hurt in an accident, you may have a claim for your damages, including any medical bills incurred. Call a Chicago car accident lawyer at Abels & Annes, P.C. today at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. We will provide you with a free case consultation and there is no obligation on your part. We are available when you need us, meaning we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call, so please call us today and let us help you understand your legal rights.
Prior Blog Entries:
National School Bus Safety Week Encourages Parents to Discuss Bus Safety with Kids, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published October 24, 2013.
Five Vehicle Crash in Chicago Hurts 11, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published October 21, 2013.
Resources:
Hinckley woman dies in Kane County accident, Chicago Tribune, published October 28, 2013.