Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Illinois Senate Votes to Increase Highway Speed Limit to 70

April 25, 2013 | By Dave Abels

The Illinois Senate voted to increase the state maximum speed to 70 miles per hour on highways, a 5 mile per hour increase over the state’s current limit of 65 mph. The bill has some flexibility and would allow Cook County, some collar counties, and two counties near St. Louis to opt out of the increase if officials determined it would be proper to do so.Sponsored by Senator Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, the bill has been touted as being business-friendly by allowing commerce to move at a quicker pace. The bill passed easily in the Senate with a 41-6 vote and now moves onto the House. If the bill becomes law, the speed increase would take effect January 1, 2014.

Faster speed limits allow all drivers to get to their destinations quicker than they would in a slower speed zone. But fast transit time is not the only thing to be concerned of when considering highway speeds. Studies have routinely found that higher highway speeds are correlated with greater numbers of fatal accidents in the State, which in turn costs the state millions of dollars each year.

In 2009, car accidents caused by speeding on interstates resulted in 51 fatalities in Illinois alone. Of those fatalities, 41 took place in areas with a speed limit in excess of 55 miles per hour. This is because as vehicles travel at higher rates of speed, the force of a collision likewise increases, causing the vehicles involved to suffer greater damage and more serious injuries than they would in a crash with slower speeds.

Increased speeds also cause drivers to have slower reaction times, a critical tool when it comes to defensive driving and avoiding dangerous situations. With less time to react to danger, a crash is more likely to occur.

As car crash lawyers, we handle cases every day where one driver caused a collision by driving faster than necessary. Many of these collisions could be eliminated or at least reduced in severity if drivers slowed down and paid attention to their surroundings. While an increased speed limit may appear to have some benefits, it certainly has some negatives that should be considered before new law is enacted.

Firey Truck Crash Seriously Injures 4 in Illinois

April 23, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A three vehicle crash on the Edens near Northbrook left four people injured on Sunday night, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Illinois State Police Department reported that a truck traveling northbound attempted to switch from the right lane to the center lane when it was not clear to do so, striking a vehicle in the center lane. The truck then veered hard to the right where it struck a second vehicle. After the second impact, the driver of the truck lost control, veered left across all lanes of traffic, and stuck a wall on the highway shoulder.

After the truck came to a rest, one of its gas tanks caught fire. Four people were injured in the collision and transported to local hospitals. A 10-year-old girl and a woman both suffered life-threatening injuries and their present conditions are not known.

Another woman and a man also were injured in the crash which caused traffic in both lanes to be diverted for a period of time.

Illinois State Police confirmed they cited the driver of the truck for improper lane usage, failure to have insurance, and failure to display a medical card and log book.

This collision is a reminder of just how serious crashes with semis can be. Semi trucks can be 20 times larger than a standard passenger car with a mass to match. This means that in a collision, a standard passenger vehicle is no match for a semi and often suffers extreme damage.

In 2011, there were 10,033 crashes involving semi trucks and 93 fatal crashes involving semis in Illinois. This number accounted for 3.6 percent of all crashes but 9.7 percent of fatalities. Of those fatalities, 74 were occupants in vehicles other than the semi and 4 were pedestrians, meaning that 15 of the deaths involved semi-truck drivers and occupants.

Semi truck collisions are also particularly deadly because semis often travel at high rates of speed. Truck drivers spend a large percent of their time on highways and freeways which allows the truckers to drive fast. Increased speeds means that the forces involved in any collision are significant and can lead to serious injuries.
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3 Doors Down Bass Player Allegedly Causes Fatal DUI Crash

April 21, 2013 | By Dave Abels

The bassist for the band 3 Doors Down is being held in a Nashville jail after he reportedly caused a collision while speeding and driving impaired, according to the Chicago Tribune.Police stated that the bassist, Robert Todd Harrell, showed obvious signs of impairment at the scene and that “he acknowledged consuming hard cider and taking prescription Lortab and Xanax” before the crash.

Authorities believe that Harrell was speeding in a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee on westbound Interstate 40 when he hit a pickup truck. The driver of the truck lost control and the truck struck a guardrail, left the road and then flipped at least once before coming to a rest. The driver was ejected and died as a result of the collision.

Harrell has been charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication and is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Following his arrest, Harrell was taken to a local jail where sheriff’s deputies found a plastic bag with 8 Xanax pills, 24 oxycodone pills, and 4 oxymorphone pills concealed in Harrell’s sock. Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication available by prescription while oxycodone and oxymorphone are prescription pain relievers. It is not clear whether Harrell had a prescription for any of the drugs in his possession.

The band issued a statement on its website saying they were saddened by the passing of the victim and that the band’s hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family and friends.

Harrell was arrested last year and charged with driving under the influence after he was involved in a crash with another vehicle.

This recent crash puts a spotlight on the dangers associated with driving under the influence.
Every day nearly 30 people die in the United States in alcohol-related crashes, or nearly one every 48 minutes. Estimates put the cost of drunk driving in excess of $51 billion per year.

The people most at risk for impaired driving are young people, motorcyclists, and drivers with prior convictions for driving while impaired. The early reports suggest that the impaired driver in this crash had a history of alcohol-related driving. Statistically, drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher involved in fatal crashers were four times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving while impaired than were drivers with no alcohol in their systems.

This means that drivers who have been convicted of driving under the influence are more likely to do so again in the future than those who have never driven drunk. Drunk drivers are significant risks to all drivers and passengers on the roads because drunk drivers have slowed response times, delayed ability to process dangers, and are not as vigilant as sober drivers, increasing the risk of collision.

Driving drunk is illegal in every state in the nation and with good reason. Avoid being a drunk driving statistic by following these simple tips: never drive drunk, never ride in a car with someone who has been drinking, always designate a sober driver before drinking or take a taxi for transportation, and if a friend has been drinking, take away his keys so that he will be unable to drive under the influence.
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Rear-End Collision with Semi Leaves Chicagoan Dead

April 19, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A 23-year-old driver of an Oldsmobile lost his life early Saturday morning in a collision with a semi truck in Chicago.

Early reports indicate that the driver was behind the semi on northbound State Street when the semi began to slow in anticipation of a left turn. It is not clear whether the semi truck driver used his turn signal or otherwise indicated his intention.The driver of the Oldsmobile reportedly did not slow down enough to avoid a collision and struck the rear of the semi’s trailer, causing significant damage to the vehicle. The driver was transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Collisions between semi trucks and standard vehicles are often deadly. The most deadly car versus truck collisions are known as underride collisions, where a portion of the car or other vehicle is forced underneath a portion of the truck and/or trailer. Both rear end collisions and collisions from the side are likely to cause a degree of an underride crash. It is unclear at this time whether the collision that killed the Oldsmobile involved any underriding of his vehicle.

As a result of the serious injuries caused by collisions like this in the past, most semis are now required to have underride guards on the rear of their trailers. Though they can differ to some degree, most underride guards consist of a horizontal steel bar that hangs below the lower edge of the rear of a trailer. The bar is designed to withstand the force generated in a collision and prevent a vehicle from sliding underneath the trailer. Keeping a vehicle from being forced beneath a trailer means that the top of the vehicle is less likely to be sheared off, reducing the number of serious injuries, including decapitation.

Though the underride guards have improved safety, a new study suggests the guards do not do enough. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (“IIHS”) recently tested several models of underride guards and recorded the results. What IIHS learned was that the force created in many rear-end collisions is too great for the guards to be as effective as intended, meaning that stronger guards should be used for increased safety.

Also important, the study found that the guards were most successful at preventing vehicles from traveling under a trailer when the vehicle hit the rear of the trailer in a head-on manner. The guards were much less successful when a vehicle struck it at an angle or from the side. This means that drivers who rear end trailers while changing lanes are not as protected in a collision as those who strike trailers directly from behind.

This new study shows why it is important for safety devices to be evaluated and reviewed on a regular basis. Drivers should be aware that the guards are not effective in every type of collision and that underride collisions still occur far too often. The best thing any driver can do is be aware of the surroundings, pay attention to traffic, and make sure you you leave plenty of distance between your vehicle and a vehicle in front of you.
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1 Dead, 4 Injured When Drunk Driver Crashes Into Chicago Police Car

April 17, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A tragic accident occurred late Friday night in the South Austin neighborhood of Chicago, leaving one young man dead, and four others were injured.

According to a police spokesperson, the accident happened at around 11:20 p.m. in the 5200 block of West Harrison Street. Reportedly, a car carrying three passengers struck a squad car near the intersection of West Harrison Street and South Laramie Avenue.

One witness’s account stated that, “That [car] had to be traveling at least 80. “He had a red light. He came across the red light. He hit the police vehicle, and after that he spun and hit the parked vehicle, and continued to hit a couple more people before he hit the pole.”

According to reports, a passenger was ejected from the car and hit a pole, killing him. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office pronounced the 18 year old dead just before 3 a.m.

The two officers involved in the crash did not sustain serious injuries, and were transported to Stroger Hospital. The two remaining individuals involved in the crash were brought to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

Later reports of the accident stated that the driver was intoxicated when he drove head on into the police car, and then hit a light pole. The driver has since been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated DUI involving death and aggravated DUI involving bodily harm. Police stated that he was also cited for driving while his license was suspended and not having insurance.

Off Duty Police Officer Kills 2 College Students in Chicago DUI Wrong Way Crash

April 14, 2013 | By Dave Abels

Last month, two college students were killed tragically when their car collided head on with a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction. The two young men were traveling southbound on Lake Shore Drive at around 4 in the morning on March 15 when an off duty police officer’s Chevy Trailblazer slammed into their black Jeep. The officer, Terrell Garrett, was allegedly severely intoxicated, which could explain why he was driving on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision.According to statements made by prosecutors at the March 18 hearing, Garrett allegedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.184 at the time he was apprehended, which is more than double the legal limit. He was reportedly celebrating his birthday the day when the accident occurred. He faces two felony counts of reckless homicide and two felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence, the judge set his bail at $500,000.

The North Chicago Police Department released a statement that they, “immediately relieved Officer Terrell Garrett of his police powers and has placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Chicago Police Department’s investigation.”

According to state records, approximately 50,000 drivers are taken into custody for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs in Illinois annually. Nearly 80 percent of these drivers are first-time DUI offenders. However, as this tragic case demonstrates, even the first time driving under the influence can result in catastrophic injuries or death. Additionally, it is important to note that the charges relating to DUI are handled through the criminal process. In many cases, victims of these tragic crashes may be able to make additional civil claims against the drunk driver.
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Tragic Rollover Crash on Westside Kills Driver

April 12, 2013 | By Dave Abels

This past weekend, a 32 year old man was killed in a single car rollover crash early Saturday on the West Side.

Authorities stated that the man was driving a Mercury Sable northbound in the 3100 block of South Western Avenue at around three in the morning, when he suddenly lost control, causing him to hit a light pole, which resulted in the car rolling over at least once.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, the man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he died 30 minutes later. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.

The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating.

Unfortunately, as the large number of one-car accidents in recent weeks has shown, tragic single car accidents such as this one are very common in Chicago. Tired drivers, unexpected hazards in the road, malfunctioning vehicles, and even swerving in order to avoid another collision may potentially be to blame in causing a single-vehicle traffic accident.

Many times we can forget that if we take our eyes off of the road for even a second, we could potentially be leading ourselves towards suffering or causing a serious injury or death. It is these sorts of incidents that state handheld cellphone texting bans are intended to address.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a traffic accident in the Chicago area, you may be entitled to receive damages or compensation related to your claim. For example, potentially recoverable damages include, but are not limited to:

property damages, including damage to your vehicle
financial compensation for pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident
any work related losses, such as loss of wages or benefits, both past and future
any resultant disability
costs related to physical therapy
funeral expenses (in some cases)

Daydreaming While Driving in Chicago is Often Deadly

April 10, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A new survey on fatal car crashes shows that drivers who were daydreaming or lost in thought are five times more likely to cause a collision resulting in death than those drivers who were distracted by a cell phone. The study was conducted and published by Erie Insurance Company and showed that over a two year period, the U.S. had more than 65,000 fatal car accidents, a staggering amount.

Not all of those fatal car crashes were due to distracted driving, about 10 percent, according to the study. And surprisingly the majority of these fatal accidents were due to daydreaming – 62 percent. Cell phones caused 12 percent of those collisions, while rubbernecking or the “gawker effect” caused 7 percent. Other contributing causes included other occupants in the vehicle, reaching for an object, eating or drinking, adjusting controls on the dashboard, reaching for an ashtray, and pets within the car.

Young drivers are the most likely to drive while distracted. In fact, of drivers under the age of 20 who were killed in a collision, 11 percent were reportedly distracted at the time of the crash. This is a higher percentage than found among any other age group.

The results of this survey should alert all drivers of the need to focus on the task at hand: driving. While Americans lead busy lives, there is no time to be distracted or to split your attention while driving. Focus on the road and pay attention to traffic when you are driving, and if you need to make a call, send a text, or discipline your children, please pull over in a safe area before doing so.

It only takes a second of distracted driving to cause a fatal crash, meaning that it is crucial that drivers are aware of their surroundings and aware of other drivers who may be distracted.

Any distraction while driving is unsafe and many are illegal. For example, young drivers in Illinois are prohibited from using a cell phone and all drivers are banned from texting. What many drivers many not know is that cell phone use is also banned in school zones or in highway construction zones. Violations of these laws can result in significant fines or even imprisonment if the distraction causes a crash.

Be smart and be safe when driving. Do not drive while distracted and watch out for other drivers who may be distracted.

Single Vehicle Accident in Unincorporated Stickney Kills Pregnant Woman and Unborn Child

April 9, 2013 | By Dave Abels

A single vehicle crash that occurred recently in unicorporated Stickney has left a 24-year-old woman and the unborn child she was carrying dead, it is being reported.

According to a spokesman for the Cook County Sheriff’s department, the accident occurred on the 4900 block of South Central Avenue at approximately 7:40 in the evening, on March 22. The woman was travelling northbound on Central Avenue in her Pontiac G6 when she hit a mailbox on the northeast side of the street, which caused her vehicle to spin around and hit a metal pole located on the same corner.

The woman and her unborn child were pronounced dead at about 8:30 p.m. at Loyola University Medical Center, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Officials said that an accident reconstruction team is investigating the crash, and that no one else was in the vehicle.

Tragically, fatal one car accidents such as this one occur much too frequently within the greater Chicago area. The causes of these single vehicle collisions can include anything from a malfunctioning motor vehicle, unexpected obstructions in the roadway, inclement weather conditions, and even over-correcting one’s vehicle in order to avoid another crash. Additionally, a distracted driver or otherwise impaired motorist can also be the cause of these types of accidents.

For example, in 2011 alone, across the State of Illinois, more than half of the 918 fatal traffic collisions involved only one motor vehicle. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that a large proportion of those one-car traffic accidents occur in larger urban areas like Chicago.

1 Dead, 4 Critically Injured in Far North Side Chicago Crash

April 6, 2013 | By Dave Abels

An absolutely tragic accident occurred on Thursday evening, which left one person dead and four others critically injured. The accident took place on the Far North Side of Chicago, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood, on the 2900 block of West Howard Street, at the Evanston border.Reportedly, at least five ambulances were sent to the scene of the crash, according to a media source. Fire officials reported that the injured individuals were taken to Lutheran General Hospital, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston.

The Chicago Tribune reported the crash before all the details were available, but provided one minute and thirty seconds of un-narrated video footage. The footage shows a midsized sedan which looks like it is partially wrapped around a tree, particurlarly in the area where the driver’s seat used to be. Additionally, the footage captures the car encircled with police tape, with no other cars nearby, it thus appears to have been a single car crash.
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