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Police in Oak Park, Wilmette, and other towns throughout Illinois have reportedly begun cracking down on both impaired drivers and individuals who fail to wear a seat belt as part of a statewide holiday season safety campaign. The 2012 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket programs were established in an effort reduce the allegedly disproportionate number of traffic fatalities caused by impaired driving and motorists who choose not to wear a safety belt. The programs were paid for by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The two safety campaigns are administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation and slated to last until the New Year. As part of the programs, police officers will reportedly focus on motorists traveling on Illinois roadways between 9 pm and 6 am. Statistically, individuals are allegedly less likely to use a seat belt and more likely to operate an automobile while high or inebriated after 9 pm. In Illinois, 12 am to 3 am is reportedly the deadliest time to be traveling in a vehicle.

State and local police urge motorists to designate a driver, use public transportation, or call a cab in lieu of driving while intoxicated. Sober drivers are also encouraged to report suspected drunken drivers to local law enforcement. In addition, both drivers and passengers are reminded to use a safety belt whenever they ride in a motor vehicle.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of five and 34. The use of safety belts reportedly reduces a motorist or passenger’s risk of death or serious injury by approximately 50 percent. In Illinois, everyone traveling in a passenger vehicle is required to wear a safety belt.

Sadly, about 12,000 people were killed in alcohol-related automobile crashes across the nation in 2008. Nearly 48,000 drivers were also arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the same year. In Illinois, 36 percent of traffic fatalities in 2008 reportedly involved alcohol.

Someone who was hurt in a collision with an impaired driver may suffer tragic injuries or untimely death. If you or a family member was injured by a drunken or drugged motorist, you may be entitled to recover monetary damages for your medical expenses, suffering and pain, lost wages and benefits, any resulting disability, and more. A qualified car accident attorney can explain your right to recovery in more detail.
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A relative of a 53-year-old Park Ridge man who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Maine Township in November has filed a lawsuit against the driver accused of hitting him. The complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges the 36-year-old driver of a black Dodge Challenger was speeding when he struck the decedent as he walked along the south side of West Touhy Avenue near the entrance to the Iroquois Woods at Axehead Lake Forest Preserve. In addition, the lawsuit claims the driver, who was reportedly employed as an emergency medical technician in Skokie at the time of the collision, failed to stop and render aid to the injured pedestrian.

According to Frank Bilecki, a spokesperson for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, a passing bicyclist found the pedestrian’s body lying on the side of the roadway and called 911. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office found that the pedestrian died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a crash. Following the fatal hit-and-run collision, police reportedly canvassed the area for any witnesses. Bilecki said officers discovered the identity of the alleged hit-and-run driver after he took his vehicle to a local body shop for repairs.

Unfortunately, life-threatening injuries often result when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle. Drivers in Illinois must stop and render aid or exchange insurance information following any accident that results in physical harm or property damage. If a motorist fails to stop, he or she may be criminally prosecuted and lose all driving privileges. As happened in this tragic case, a driver may also be sued for any damages that resulted from his or her failure to render aid. An individual who was injured by a negligent driver may be entitled to collect compensation for their medical expenses and physical injuries. In addition, the family of a person who was killed by a motorist may also be able to recover for wrongful death. If you were hurt or lost a close relative in a hit-and-run or other motor vehicle accident, you should contact a capable car accident attorney to discuss your options for recovery.
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A National Football League player was recently charged with intoxication manslaughter following a car accident that killed a teammate on a highway service road in a Dallas, Texas suburb. According to a spokesperson for the Irving Police Department, John Argumaniz, a 25-year-old Dallas Cowboys linebacker was killed when a defensive lineman flipped his Mercedes a few hours before the football team was scheduled to fly to Cincinnati for a game. Argumaniz said emergency responders called to the scene of the fatal collision found the linebacker unresponsive and the vehicle in flames. The linebacker was reportedly transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Argumaniz stated the driver was likely speeding well above the posted 45 miles per hour speed limit when the crash occurred. The driver allegedly refused a breathalyzer test, but was taken into custody after Irving police officers conducted a field sobriety test. A blood alcohol test performed on the defensive lineman after the collision purportedly registered at 0.18. The driver also allegedly admitted to ingesting alcohol at a club prior to the fatal wreck. If convicted, the football player faces up to 20 years in prison.

Both men previously played football together at the University of Illinois. Three years ago, the driver in the fatal crash allegedly pleaded guilty to drunken driving in Illinois. He reportedly served 60 days in jail and was sentenced to two years of probation in addition to being fined and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

In 2008, almost 12,000 people died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes throughout the country. That is approximately one unnecessary death every 45 minutes. In addition, about 48,000 motorists in the United States were charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 2008. During the same year, 36 percent of auto accident fatalities in Illinois reportedly involved alcohol. Drivers who operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other substances normally suffer from slow reaction times, blurred vision, an inability to focus, and poor judgment. Sadly, everyone on the roadway is placed at risk whenever an impaired driver makes the choice to get behind the wheel of a car.

The victim in an accident with a drunken driver often suffers tragic injuries or death. Even when an impaired driver is charged with a crime, he or she should also be held responsible for any financial damages that resulted from an accident. If you were injured by an impaired driver, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for your medical costs, lost wages and benefits, pain and suffering, any resulting temporary or permanent disability, and other damages. If you lost a close relative in a wreck that was caused by a drunken motorist, you may also be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. A skilled car accident lawyer can explain your rights.
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A Schaumburg teenager was killed recently in an apparent hit-and-run accident. The 18-year-old Schaumburg High School senior was allegedly struck by a motor vehicle while walking along Schaumburg Road near Branchwood Drive. Emergency responders reportedly arrived at the accident scene to find the young man’s body lying in the roadway. Despite all efforts to revive the teenager, the honors student was pronounced dead about 20 minutes after paramedics arrived.

The exact cause of the young man’s death is currently being analyzed by the Investigations Division and Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team from the Schaumburg Police Department. In addition, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is reportedly assisting with the investigation. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the teen’s death was caused by a hit-and-run collision. Following the young man’s death, local police reportedly canvassed the area in search of potential accident witnesses. Schaumburg Police Sergeant John Nebl said he would like more information regarding not only the identity of the driver who struck the teen, but also exactly how the 18-year-old came to be in the street.

Unfortunately, as occurred in this tragic case, catastrophic or fatal injuries often result when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle. Sadly, the victim of a hit-and run accident may suffer from a traumatic head injury, broken bones, paralysis, and even death. Motorists in Illinois are required to stop and render aid or exchange insurance information following any collision that results in physical injury or property damage. If a driver fails to stop, he or she may be criminally prosecuted and lose all driving privileges.

Someone who was hurt by a hit-and run driver may be eligible to collect financial damages for their injuries. The family of someone who was killed by a motorist may also be able to recover for wrongful death. Even if a hit-and-run driver is not apprehended, the victim of such a collision may file an uninsured motorist claim against their own automobile insurance policy or the policy of someone who lives in their household. In addition, the close relatives of someone who was killed by a hit-and-run driver may be eligible to receive benefits from the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run accident, it is a good idea to discuss your options for recovery with an experienced car accident attorney.
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A 33-year-old Chicago police officer was recently charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident and filing a false police report after he allegedly struck a woman who was riding her bicycle home from work in August. According to an accident witness, the off duty police officer ran a stop sign in the early morning hours of August 3rd and hit the 25-year-old bicyclist with his pick-up truck near the intersection of Wabansia and California Streets. Following the initial impact, the woman reportedly flew over the hood of the truck before landing on the street.

Although the law enforcement officer called emergency responders using his cellular phone, the man allegedly told 911 operators he had no idea why the woman was on the ground and declined to identify himself. The off duty police officer reportedly called 911 a second time to tell operators the woman may be injured before driving around the bicyclist as she lay on the ground, hitting two parked cars, and leaving the accident scene. According to Cook County prosecutors, the bicyclist suffered broken bones and facial injuries that required her to stay in a local hospital for about 48 hours.

A license plate reportedly fell off of the police officer’s pick-up when he struck the parked cars. Although police went to the officer’s house to question him following the crash, no one answered the door. Two days later, the man filed a police report which stated the bicyclist ran a stop sign and struck his pick-up truck. Although the off duty cop blamed the bicyclist for causing her own injuries, both forensic and medical records allegedly indicate that the motorist caused the bicycle accident. After he was charged, the officer was purportedly relieved of his police powers and placed in an administrative position pending the outcome of his case.

Bicyclists in Illinois must obey the same laws as motorists while traveling on streets and other roadways. Still, most Chicago bicycle accidents occur after a motorist fails to yield to a bicycle rider at a stop sign or traffic light. Illinois bicycle accidents allegedly killed 27 people and hurt more than 3,300 others in 2008. Many of those injuries reportedly occurred in urban areas like Chicago. If you were harmed by a negligent driver while riding your bicycle, you should discuss your case with a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as you are able.
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Two people were killed when an unlicensed driver who was suspected of driving a stolen car crashed head-on into another vehicle in the western suburbs of Chicago. A 30-year-old Wisconsin woman allegedly stole a 2003 Nissan Altima and left the scene of a crash after she hit another vehicle in Geneva. The woman then allegedly led a Kane County Sheriff’s Deputy on a high-speed chase down Route 38. After the deputy determined it was unsafe to continue the pursuit, he reportedly stopped attempting to apprehend the woman near Compton Hills. Still, the woman allegedly continued driving the stolen Nissan at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Unfortunately, the woman soon collided head-on with a vehicle that was being driven by an 18-year-old Maple Park man.

The woman driving the Nissan was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Following the crash, the 18-year-old man she struck was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove by emergency helicopter. Sadly, the man reportedly died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision. According to police, the head-on accident also caused another crash which sent two additional drivers to local area hospitals with injuries that were deemed to be non-life threatening.

A head-on collision normally occurs when a driver fails to maintain his or her lane and travels on the wrong side of a roadway. Unfortunately, such collisions generally cause catastrophic or fatal injuries. Head-on accidents are often caused by driver inexperience, impairment, speeding, illegal passing, inattention, and defects in the design of a roadway. According to the Fatal Analysis Reporting System created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, someone is killed in about 82 percent of all head-on accidents nationwide.

In order to promote the safety of everyone who travels on our roadways, the Illinois Vehicle Code requires all drivers who operate a car, truck or motorcycle to obtain a driver’s license. Regrettably, some drivers choose to ignore this law to the detriment of themselves and others. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, almost 43 percent of fatal crashes in Illinois in 2011 involved an unlicensed driver. If you were injured or tragically lost a loved one in a Chicago motor vehicle accident, you should discuss your case with a skilled car accident lawyer as soon as you are able.
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Illinois legislators are reportedly considering a measure designed to allow an estimated 250,000 illegal immigrants in the state to obtain temporary motor vehicle operator’s licenses. Although the exact details of the proposed measure have not yet been finalized, lawmakers who support such a bill reportedly believe it would increase safety on roadways throughout the state as well as lower insurance costs. The proposed bill is expected to be considered in the Illinois General Assembly soon.

Although some lawmakers allegedly oppose the idea of allowing individuals who are in the country unlawfully to obtain a driver’s license, others have touted the idea as both economically and morally fair. The proposed legislation would expand a current program that allows foreign nationals who are in the United States legally to obtain a temporary vehicle operator’s license. It would require applicants to provide a both a passport and proof of residency in Illinois. Most importantly, such a measure would require drivers to pass a written, road, and vision test and obtain liability insurance. Still, the driver’s licenses issued would not be allowed to serve as a valid form of identification for illegal aliens.

Despite that similar measures have failed twice in the past, Governor Quinn stated he would sign the proposed bill if it is passed. According to Governor Quinn, the proposal is primarily a consumer safety measure. Across the United States, unlicensed motorists are reportedly five times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than motorists who possess an operator’s license. The Illinois Highway Safety Coalition claims uninsured and unlicensed motorists are involved in almost 80,000 automobile crashes throughout the state every year. In addition, those crashes reportedly result in an estimated $660 million in damages, including about $64 million in property damage claims. In 2011, almost 48,000 citations for driving without a valid license were issued in Cook County alone.

According to the Illinois Highway Safety Coalition, the proposed law could save Illinois automobile insurance customers approximately $46 million in annual premiums. If passed, Illinois would be the third state, along with New Mexico and Washington, to allow illegal immigrants to obtain a temporary driver’s license.

In Chicago, many of us spend a lot of time in our cars. With countless people on the roadways, collisions are bound to occur. A number of factors such as driver inexperience, inattention, or impairment can result in a tragic or fatal automobile accident. Although unlicensed drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle on Illinois roadways, many choose to ignore the law and drive anyway. If you were involved in a crash that was caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for any damages you incurred as a result. A skilled car accident attorney can help.
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Officials in Naperville recently conducted an educational campaign designed to combat distracted driving in city school zones. The campaign enlisted volunteers to watch out for motorists who used handheld mobile phones in school zones and to distribute informational literature reminding drivers that the practice of talking with a handheld telephone while driving in a school zone is prohibited by state law. As part of the campaign, the City of Naperville also placed billboards reminding drivers to hang up their phones near specific area school zones. In addition, the Naperville Police Department reportedly stepped up enforcement of the state law immediately following the driver education effort.

Sergeant Lee Martin of the Naperville Police Department’s traffic unit stated the education and enforcement campaign was designed to keep school children from being hurt by inattentive motorists. Since January 1, 2010, all drivers in Illinois are prohibited from operating a handheld cellular telephone in a school or construction zone. Motorists under the age of 19 may not utilize a mobile phone on any Illinois roadway except in case of emergency. The fines for violating distracted driving laws in Illinois begin at $75 per infraction. Last year, a similar initiative reportedly had a significant impact on the number of motorists using handheld cell phones in Naperville school zones. According to Officer Martin, the program will likely continue next year.

The laws regarding talking on your mobile phone while driving vary widely throughout the Chicago Metro. Although the City of Chicago has completely banned the use of handheld telephones, other municipalities have adopted the less restrictive state law. Regardless of where you are traveling, mobile telephones generally pose an unnecessary distraction to drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 416,000 people throughout the United States were hurt in car accidents that resulted from distracted driving in 2010 alone. Sadly, more than 3,000 people died during the same year due to the actions of a distracted driver. The NHTSA also stated the risk of a motor vehicle crash is 23 times higher when a driver is sending or reading a text message.
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Last month, a pedestrian and her son were injured after being struck by a motorist in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. According to accident witnesses, the woman was reportedly pushing a stroller across North Clark Street when the driver of a Toyota failed to stop at a crosswalk and hit her. The force of the impact allegedly threw the child onto the ground in tears and one accident witness stated it appeared that the child’s leg was broken. A Chicago Fire Department spokesperson, Will Knight, said the child’s mother was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious-to-critical condition. Knight also said that emergency responders took the boy to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in serious-to-critical condition. Following the crash, the driver of the Toyota was allegedly cited for striking the two pedestrians.

Although the intersection where the injury accident occurred does not have a stop sign, a nearby sign reportedly warns drivers to yield to pedestrians. The Illinois Vehicle Code requires all drivers to stop for pedestrians who are using a crosswalk. This includes unmarked crosswalks and those that lack a traffic signal or stop sign. Although the penalty for failing to stop for a pedestrian who is attempting to cross the street varies by county, drivers may be fined up to $500 per instance. More importantly, motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians risk causing catastrophic damage to another human being.

Almost 6,000 pedestrians are struck by motorists throughout Illinois every year. Although someone who is traveling on foot may be injured by a car anywhere, most pedestrian accidents in Illinois occur on city streets or in an urban setting like Chicago. Unfortunately, nearly all pedestrian crashes result in some type of injury. Last year, more than 100 pedestrians were killed in an accident with a motor vehicle throughout the state.

In Chicago, there is normally a high volume of pedestrian traffic. Commuting residents, cab drivers, and tourists driving rental cars are often sharing the city’s intersections with those walking to public transit or other destinations. If you or a loved one was hurt by a motorist while using a crosswalk, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation for your injury. Accident victims may recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you were injured by a motor vehicle while crossing a street, it is a good idea to contact a qualified pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your case.
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Last month, a 42-year-old Stone Park man was killed in a motorcycle collision on the Northwest side of Chicago. Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said the motorcycle driver was headed east on West Diversey Avenue when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) pulled out of a parking lot in front of him. The motorcyclist reportedly struck the side of the SUV prior to being thrown from his bike. According to police, a second vehicle also struck the man’s Harley Davidson and fled the scene of the crash. Following the accident, the 42-year-old man was transported to Loyola University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The crash is currently under investigation by the police department’s Major Accident Investigation Unit. Greer stated the 28-year-old driver of the SUV was ticketed for failing to yield and driving without a valid operator’s license. It is unclear whether the man killed was wearing a helmet at the time of the fatal crash. Currently, there is no motorcycle rider helmet law in the State of Illinois.

In 2010, 4,013 motorcycle accidents were reported in Illinois. Although motorcycle crashes accounted for less than two percent of all motor vehicle accidents, they represented more than 14 percent of all Illinois traffic fatalities. Still, because riding a motorcycle is an economical means of travel, the number of registered motorcycles throughout our state has increased in recent years.

As this tragic case demonstrates, motorcycle riders are frequently catastrophically injured or killed when involved in a collision with another vehicle. Because motorcycles offer little protection, drivers may suffer traumatic head and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, paralysis, burn injuries, or even death. Despite that some believe motorcyclists are more likely to engage in speeding and other unsafe behavior, the majority of motorcycle accidents in Illinois are caused by another motorist’s negligence. Because Illinois is a comparative negligence accident state, a motorcyclist may still be able to recover compensation for any injuries sustained in a collision even if he or she was partially to blame. If you or a close family member were hurt in a Chicago motorcycle crash, you should contact a qualified attorney as soon as you are able.
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