Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Chicago Hit-And-Run Crash Leaves 1 Dead

September 10, 2013 | By Dave Abels

Chicago police are searching for the driver of a silver truck that is believed to have been involved in a hit -and-run accident early Sunday morning.

The crash occurred in the 1600 block of North Kostner Avenue on the northwest side of the city and involved three vehicles, including the silver truck that has been described as a Toyota, possibly a Tacoma. Police believe that the driver of the Toyota truck collided with a Toyota Camry and a Hyundai Elantra, causing a significant crash that seriously damaged at least one of the vehicles.

A 25-year-old man was behind the wheel of the Camry and died at the scene of the crash. There was a 17-year-old male passenger in the Camry who was injured but is expected to survive after being transported and treated at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Reportedly, there were two people in the Hyundai and neither appeared to sustain injuries.

The driver of the Toyota truck fled the scene after the crash without providing his information to the other drivers or the police. In Illinois, leaving the scene of an accident that causes death or serious bodily injury is a felony and police are searching for that driver at this time.

Hit-and-run drivers break the law when they leave the scene of a crash, but despite the risk of serious charges against them, many Illinois drivers continue to flee and leave behind victims of crashes, many who may be unable to seek medical help themselves. If a fleeing driver leaves an unconscious or seriously injured victim behind, the chances that medical help will arrive in a timely manner decrease, putting the victim at a much higher risk of death or permanent injury. It is also every driver’s duty to act with care and caution towards others on the road and leaving an injured victim without assistance directly violates this principle, further threatening public safety.

With the addition of street side cameras and other recording devices, more of these hit-and-run accidents are being captured on film and more offenders are being apprehended. These drivers may be prosecuted for criminal violations, traffic offenses, or both, but that is not always the extent of their liability. In many cases, the victim of a hit-and-run crash may be able to bring a civil claim for their personal injuries against an at-fault driver so that compensation can be obtained. These civil cases generally seek monetary payments to cover expenses like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Even in a hit-and-run accident where the fleeing driver is never found, a victim may still have a valid claim for their damages. Here, a victim or a victim’s family may be able to bring a claim against their own insurance company for their losses through a type of claim known as an uninsured motorist claim. This protects Illinois drivers in instances where an unknown or an uninsured driver causes an accident that results in injuries.
Continue reading

Fatal Crash in Long Grove Leaves 1 Dead

September 6, 2013 | By Dave Abels

Authorities in the north suburb of Long Grove were called to the scene of an accident last night. When they arrived at the area of Illinois 83 and Westmoreland Drive, they determined that a pickup truck and a minivan collided near the intersection, causing serious injuries and damage to at least one vehicle. The driver of one car died and her passenger was critically injured while the conditions of those in the other vehicle are not presently known.

At this time, it is not clear why the two cars collided and whether either driver is at fault. In the area where the crash occurred, Illinois 83 is a four lane divided road that intersects with Westmoreland Drive in a “T” intersection where drivers can turn from north or southbound I-83 onto eastbound Westmoreland Drive only. The speed limit on I-83 is 45 miles per hour and on the quiet Westmoreland, drivers are limited to traveling only 25 miles per hour.

Officials have been able to confirm that a female was driving a blue 2011 Honda CRV and that this vehicle collided with a red 2007 Ford F10 pickup truck. The driver of the CRV died at the scene and a female passenger in her car was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville in critical condition.

There are hundreds if not thousands of factors that can lead to or cause a car crash and in many cases, it is the combination of several factors that actually cause a collision to occur. In 2011 alone, there were over 281,000 car accidents within the state of Illinois and in those accidents, 918 people lost their lives. An additional 84,172 people involved in car accidents sustained personal injuries. This means that statistically, about 2 percent of all Illinois residents are involved in a car accident every year, meaning that the chances are high that you know someone who has recently been a victim of an accident or had their family affected by a car crash.

To reduce the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities, people on all sides of transportation are taking steps to increase awareness and safety. Legislators have enacted tough laws against driving and driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Additionally, police officers look for traffic violations and attempt to curb unsafe behavior by issuing citations or warnings to offending motorists. Hopefully, if a driver is warned about speeding or running a red light, the driver will alter his or her behavior before a collision happens.

Car manufacturers have also taken significant steps in recent years to increase safety features on cars. Many modern vehicles have been designed to warn drivers when a car is in their blind spots, when a driver starts to veer outside of a designated lane, and when a driver is too close to a vehicle in front of him or her. In the event of an impact, most cars now have airbags and exterior bodies designed to absorb an impact, leaving the passengers protected from as much harm as possible.
Continue reading

Nissan Plans Self Driving Cars by 2020 With Goal of Crash-Free, Fatality-Free Vehicles

August 28, 2013 | By Dave Abels

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.
Continue reading

DUI Driver Who Fled Scene of Fatal Crash Gets 7 Year Prison Sentence

August 23, 2013 | By Dave Abels

An Aurora man will serve seven years behind bars for striking two and killing one with his van back in 2010. The 33-year-old man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death, to which he pleaded guilty in February of this year.

The prosecution stated that the defendant had been drinking on October 25, 2010 and later chose to get behind the wheel and drive. The defendant approached Grant Street in North Aurora where a man and woman were walking around 2:00 a.m. The defendant struck both pedestrians with his van and fled the scene without speaking with police or even checking to see if his victims were alive.

The female victim, a 22-year-old Cicero resident, died as a result of the accident. She had been walking with her boyfriend, now 25 years old, when both were hit. The man survived the crash with serious injuries, including injuries to his shoulder, knee, and head with a knee replacement needed at some future point.

The defendant driver of the van turned himself in to authorities as an Aurora police station approximately two hours after the incident. His blood alcohol content was measured so that the level at the time of the crash could be determined. Based upon the results, prosecutors contended that the defendant had a BAC between .10 and 0.18, higher than the legal limit of .08. Armed with this information, the defendant was charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash.

The presiding judge sentenced the defendant to seven years, four of which were for the charge of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death, and the other three for aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. The sentences are concurrent, meaning that the defendant will have to serve one and then the other back-to-back, totaling a seven year prison sentence behind bars.

This accident illustrates how quickly one or more bad decisions can turn deadly. A car may be a means of transportation but when in the wrong hands, it can also be a weapon. Here, a driver admitted that he had been drinking and that he chose to drive anyway. Even if he had not caused an accident, he would have committed a crime simply by operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Not only did this man drive drunk, but he also struck two pedestrians, killing one and seriously injuring the other.
Continue reading

Driver Distracted By Cell Phone Charging Cord Causes Fatal Accident

August 20, 2013 | By Dave Abels

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.
Continue reading

Woman Killed After Man Leaves Car Running, Son Accidentally Puts it in Gear

August 19, 2013 | By Dave Abels

Authorities believe a 58-year-old woman was in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was killed on a Thursday morning. The woman was walking on a sidewalk in the 4400 block of South Saint Louis Avenue in the Brightton Park neighborhood when a truck crashed through a garage and struck her.

Police say that a pickup truck was loaded with construction materials or metal scraps as it sat in an alley. The driver exited the truck with the truck in park to pick up something from the alley. Witnesses state that the driver’s son, a 13-year-old boy, was in the truck and accidentally put the truck in gear as he sat in the front passenger seat. The truck began to roll forward, prompting the 13-year-old to climb into the driver’s seat and attempt to stop the truck. Though he attempted to use the brake pedal, the teen hit the gas instead, sending the truck flying into a garage. The truck crashed through the garage and struck the woman on the other side.

The truck crossed the street and then hit another garage before colliding with a brick wall, where it came to a rest. Authorities were called and emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Mt. Sinai Hospital where she underwent treatment for several hours before dying of her injuries in the early afternoon.

The driver of the car received citations for leaving a vehicle unattended while running and for driving on a suspended or revoked license. At this point, there is no indication that the teen will face any charges but authorities state that they are still investigating the incident.

Accidents can happen to anyone on any given day. But describing incidents like this one as accidents is not absolutely accurate in many cases. Here, there is no indication that either the man or his son intended to hurt anyone, including the female victim, but that is exactly what happened. Though the driver may have not had ill will towards the woman, by leaving his truck running in an alley and by letting his unlicensed son to remain in the truck where the son could operate the vehicle, the driver risked the safety of others in the area. Additionally, the driver at issue did not have a valid license at the time of the crash and therefore could not legally drive, yet he chose to drive anyway. Even after the state of Illinois determined that he was not legally allowed to drive, the man determined that he could get behind the wheel and drive anyway. His actions created a dangerous situation that cost an innocent woman her life.

Regardless of what happens with the man’s traffic or criminal charges brought by the state, the surviving family members of the victim may be able to bring a civil claim for their losses. These claims are often referred to as wrongful death cases and they allow families to obtain financial compensation for their losses, including the loss of companionship they are forced to endue as the result of their loved one’s death.
Continue reading

Unlicensed Driver Sentenced to 4 Years for Reckless Homicide

August 15, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A driver has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in an accident that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Chicago man. The driver, who has already spent about nine months behind bars, could be released after as little as two years, leaving some in the community upset that the sentence is too light.

Authorities say the driver was speeding as he drove eastbound on Devon Avenue last November. The victim, a well-known member of the Tibetan community in Chicago, was crossing the street in West Rogers Park with his brother-in-law as the driver approached. The driver reportedly swerved into the westbound lanes of traffic and struck both men, briefly stopping at the scene to see if the men were hurt. Witnesses say the defendant then fled the scene without calling for help or speaking to police.

The 44-year-old victim died as a result of his injuries and his brother-in-law was injured but survived. The extent of the brother-in-law’s injuries are not known but a family friend of the men say that the deceased victim left behind a wife and three young sons. The victim worked for the Cook County clerk’s office as well as holding the position of vice president of the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce board.

Police investigated the accident and eventually identified the driver. The 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and failure to report an accident. Officials report that the defendant pleaded guilty to both charges and received a four year prison sentence in response. Police have stated that the defendant did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the accident and apparently had never held a valid license previously. It is not clear whether the defendant also faced charges related to driving without a license but his sentence was not based on any related charges.

While the criminal case facing the driver in this accident may be settled, the implications from his actions may not be. In the case of a pedestrian who is killed through the reckless or negligent actions of a driver, Illinois law allows for the possibility of a civil recovery by the victim’s surviving family members. Here, the 44-year-old man’s surviving family, his wife and children, may be entitled to bring a monetary claim for their losses against the defendant driver who caused the accident. A civil claim of this type seeks compensation for any medical bills incurred before a victim passed away, the wages the victim will be unable to earn for his family due to his death, and the loss of companionship and parental guidance suffered by his family.

The other pedestrian that sustained injuries in this accident also has the possibility of a civil claim for his losses. Though he survived, he was injured and reportedly needed medical treatment. He is therefore entitled to a recovery for his losses and for any expenses he was forced to incur.
Continue reading

Elderly Driver Crashes Into Liquor Store, Causes Fire

August 12, 2013 | By Dave Abels

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.
Continue reading

Lincoln Square Hit-And-Run Leaves Pedestrian Dead

August 5, 2013 | By Dave Abels

Just before 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, police received a call about an unresponsive man in the road in Lincoln Square. Now, police believe the man was the victim of a hit-run-driver. The victim’s injuries were so severe that he died at the scene.

The incident occurred in the 2100 block of West Wilson Avenue on the city’s far north side. Police stated that no driver was present on the scene when they arrived to explain the incident and the man was unresponsive before he died. An autopsy on Sunday confirmed that victim died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in a collision with a car but at this time, it is not clear the type of car or who was driving at the time of the crash.

In Illinois, leaving the scene of an automobile accident that results in death or serious bodily injury is a felony charge, meaning that in addition to having a driver’s license revoked and fines imposed, anyone found guilty of the offense can face serious time in prison. The laws are very harsh because when an uninjured person leaves the scene and leaves another behind who is too hurt to call for help, the authorities may not be alerted and that victim may die while awaiting needed medical care.

In addition to a charge for leaving the scene of an accident, a driver that causes a fatal crash might face traffic offenses brought by the State of Illinois. Often, these include failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision, failing to yield the right of way, and failing to exercise due care for others. Sometimes, multiple charges are treated as separate offenses for sentencing purposes meaning that a driver may face even greater time behind bars or an even greater financial fine.

If the threat of criminal and traffic prosecution weren’t enough, offenders who leave the scene of an accident may also face civil claims for the injuries they inflict on others. These claims can include assertions for medical bills and treatment as well as time missed from work. Where a victim is killed, a claim can still be brought by the victim’s surviving family members and can be made for the losses they suffer, which is massive.

With all that is placed at stake, it may be surprising that hit-and-run crashes are relatively common in both Chicago and Illinois. Some drivers flee after an accident because they do not have valid insurance or a driver’s license. Others are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and get scared of the charges they will face. Still other drivers just get scared and take off because they are afraid of what they’ve done. Regardless of the reason, there is never a valid excuse to leave the scene of an accident and leave victims behind to suffer.
Continue reading

Fatal South Side Chicago Hit-And-Run Leads to Arrest

August 1, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A 27-year-old woman from West Pullman has been arrested and charged in a fatal hit-and-run crash that left a 77-year-old man dead. The woman appeared in court on Wednesday where the judge ordered that she be held on $250,000 bail.

The incident occurred on July 17, 2013 around 7:00 a.m. The prosecutor in the case alleges that the victim was crossing in the 8300 block of South Racine on foot when the defendant approached him in a black Mercedes, traveling northbound. The woman struck the victim with her car and fled the scene without stopping to check on the man’s condition or without speaking to police.

There were witnesses to the collision who notified the authorities. When paramedics responded, the male victim was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. Meanwhile, local police interviewed several suspects who had a description of the responsible vehicle. The officers also obtained security footage from an area establishment that reportedly caught the collision on film, including the car striking the victim and then fleeing the scene. According to authorities, two eye witnesses have identified the defendant as the woman that was driving the Mercedes at the time of the crash.

With the information gathered from their investigation, police arrested the 27-year-old woman on Monday in her home. She reportedly works in medical billing, is a mother to an 11-year-old son, and is studying to be an x-ray technician.

It is not clear exactly what charges the woman is facing in connection with the crash, but under Illinois law, it is a felony to leave the scene of an accident that results in death or serious bodily injury to another. Therefore, this woman could be facing the possibility of extended jail time as well as becoming a convicted felon if the alleged facts against her are proved at trial.

If the potentially serious criminal and traffic offenses faced are not enough, this woman may also face a civil claim brought by the surviving family members of the victim on his behalf. This type of civil claim, often referred to as a wrongful death suit, may allow a victim’s family to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one.
Continue reading