Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

The typical image of a car accident might conjure two cars getting into a fender bender and the frustrated drivers that are left behind. In reality, there are thousands of ways that a car crash may occur and they may involve anywhere from one to dozens of vehicles. In Chicago, many people are killed every year in single vehicle car accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 561 fatalities from single vehicle traffic accidents in 2013 alone. In addition to those victims who lost their lives, many more were injured and the effects of these crashes extend to the families, friends, and loved ones of those involved. When a single car accident takes place, many Chicago victims do not realize that they are still entitled to relief and to help for their damages even if the driver of their vehicle was responsible for the crash. The laws that apply depend on the facts and circumstances surrounding an individual crash so those who have been hurt may want to speak with an injury lawyer to learn about their options.

Early Sunday morning, an SUV in Chicago left the road’s surface and struck a pole near the street, causing the vehicle to catch fire and injuring those inside. The incident occurred in the 1200 block of South Clinton Street shortly before 3:00 a.m. and is still under investigation.

Police believe that a male was operating the SUV but there has been no word on what caused the collision. Three males were inside the vehicle and two, a 25-year-old man and a 42-year-old man, were killed in the accident. A third male, aged 26, survived the accident but was critically injured. Emergency crews took that man to an area hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries and his current status is not clear.

The SUV was on fire when police arrived at the scene and firefighters were able to extinguish the flame after a short battle.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 18 percent of all fatal pedestrian traffic accidents involve a hit-and-run driver, or nearly one if five fatal crashes. In Illinois, including Chicago, it is illegal to leave the scene of a crash without being authorized to do so by police except in limited situations, but drivers continue to do so every year regardless of the consequences. Hit-and-run accidents often leave behind victims who are too hurt to call for help, meaning that a fleeing driver is the only chance these victims have of getting the help they need. Fleeing drivers deny victims the ability to get help and for that reason, the laws of the state assess harsh penalties against hit-and-run drivers who are apprehended. Doing so can be a felony and if a victim dies in the accident, the fleeing motorist may face between three and 14 years in prison for his or her actions.

Whether a fleeing driver is caught or not, the victims of these accidents and their family members may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries, including the medical bills they incur. If a driver is later identified, it is possible that multiple claims may exist and may enable that victim to obtain all the relief he or she deserves. Speaking with a personal injury attorney in Chicago may help you understand your options if a fleeing driver left you hurt or if you suffered.

A collision between a speeding SUV and a pedestrian in Waukeegan on Sunday night initially left the victim critically injured. Now, authorities have confirmed that the victim lost his life due to the injuries he sustained.

The incident happened shortly before midnight near Butrick Street and Tamera Court. A group of pedestrians were walking in the area when witnesses say that a speeding SUV approached the group and struck a 21-year-old man, leaving him critically injured. The victim was taken to Vista Medical Center East for emergency treatment following the accident. Though doctors were able to improve the man’s condition, his injuries proved too severe and he died three days after the crash.

The driver of the SUV involved in the accident fled the scene northbound and has not yet been identified or apprehended. Waukeegan police are asking for help from the public and encouraging anyone with information to come forward and report what they know. if the driver is identified, it is possible that the motorist will face multiple charges for the role he or she played in the collision.
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What kind of vehicle do you drive, if you choose to drive in Chicago? Is it an older model with limited features but a reliable ride to get you from one place to another? Or is it a newer model with every conceivable safety feature from additional airbags to exterior sensors that detect traffic and adjust the vehicle in response? Regardless of the car you drive, you are still at a risk for being involved in a car accident if you drive in Chicago or anywhere else in the nation. Car accidents take place every day and many of them lead to injuries to the drivers and passengers involved.

Rear-end accidents are more common than many other types of collisions, and fortunately, some of these crashes result only in damage to the cars involved. While it can be distressing to have a damaged car, it is nothing compared to the damage that comes when someone is hurt. Injuries from a collision often range from bruising and soft tissue damage to broken bones to head and neck injuries. In some cases, paralysis may occur or a victim may lose his or her life.

When a car accident happens, numerous officials may be involved in an investigation. Police officers and prosecuting attorneys may review the actions of the drivers involved to determine if a traffic ticket or a criminal charge should be issued. But these officials often work with an at-fault driver and attempt to seek relief for the State of Illinois; rarely do they represent the interests of victims. Instead, Illinois law and the laws of Chicago entitle victims to seek relief outside of any charges that may be issued and this help can be sought through the use of a civil claim for damages. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt, including whether you have a valid claim for relief.

Around 2:00 a.m. today, a single-car accident occurred in East Side and left a driver dead, according to local authorities. Officials responded near the 11900 block of South Avenue O and determined that a female driver lost control of her vehicle and left the road’s surface, causing the car to strike a fence and then break through the fence. The impact forced the car to roll over and led to the driver’s death.

While no conclusions have been made, officials do not believe that any other vehicles were involved at this time and they do not think that any passengers were inside the car prior to the impact.

There has been no word on what caused the driver to lose control or whether any outside forces factored into this collision, prompting officials to investigate multiple scenarios into the crash.
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If you drive in Chicago, you are required by law to observe and follow all rules of the road and traffic laws. This holds true elsewhere in Illinois and across the country, though the specific laws may vary. Failing to obey traffic rules can lead to a citation or even a crash in some cases and can lead to civil charges.

Car accidents may lead victims to sustain injuries ranging from minor to severe; in the worst cases, a victim may lose his or her life due to the result of a crash, causing damages that can never be repaired fully. Illinois law recognizes that car accidents are a serious threat to public safety and to victims, so in an effort to minimize the suffering of the innocent, the laws enable victims to seek relief through the use of a civil claim. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer in the greater Chicago area may help you understand your rights and your options if a collision has affected your life or injured your loved one.

Before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, two vehicles collided in Wilmington near Old Chicago Road and Wilmington-Peotone Road, and officials suspect that one of the cars may have failed to yield the right-of-way. The vehicles were traveling westbound and northbound and collided in the intersection and a 23-year-old driver lost her life as a result. The driver of the second vehicle, a 42-year-old woman, was injured in the accident but is expected to survive.

Local officials responded to the accident and began an investigation. They have reported that one of the cars involved had a stop sign at the intersection and that the vehicle may have failed to yield but they have not confirmed which victim was operating that car. Authorities have stated that their investigation remains open and that it may take some time before an official cause of the collision is determined.
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Every year, Illinois takes steps to make the roads safer and to increase precautionary measures to decrease the number of car accidents that occur annually. Despite all these changes, though, collisions continue to occur and more than 250,000 collisions occurred in 2011 alone. Many of those crashes resulted in injuries to the drivers and passengers involved while others left pedestrians, bicyclists, or even motorcyclists hurt.

Most car accidents take place because one or more drivers involved make an error or fail to act safely. Under the law, this conduct may be considered negligent and may lead to legal implications for an at-fault driver. In addition to a traffic ticket or other charge, a responsible driver may be forced to bear the financial responsibility for all damages that result. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other losses, depending on the specific facts of a crash. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your options for relief if you have been injured or if your loved one has been hurt in a crash.

Police in Chicago were alerted to a collision involving two cars near the West Ohio Street Ramp that leads to the Kennedy Expressway around 2:00 a.m. this morning. Police have not confirmed the number of people inside those two vehicles but they have reported that emergency crews on the scene evaluated three individuals and transported them to area hospitals for treatment. Though they are all expected to survive, the current conditions and the nature of the injuries sustained have not been disclosed at this time.

The ramp at issue leads to the southbound Kennedy Expressway and the collision caused some temporary traffic problems in the area. All lanes are reportedly clear at this time.

While it has been confirmed that two vehicles collided, police have not disclosed what caused the crash pending the outcome of their own investigation. That outcome may determine whether any traffic citations will be issued or whether any motorist involved will face criminal charges for this collision.
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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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