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A former Detective with the Chicago Police Department was sentenced to serve eight years in prison for allegedly killing two young men in a fiery auto wreck while driving under the influence of alcohol. The 18-year police veteran reportedly struck the back of an automobile that was broken down on the Dan Ryan Expressway near Roosevelt Road while off-duty in April 2009. The two young men who died were trapped inside of their car as it burst into flames. Meanwhile, a passing motorist reportedly assisted the police officer out of his sport utility vehicle. Instead of notifying authorities or rendering aid, the detective allegedly walked away from the accident scene in the opposite direction from the engulfed vehicle. According to prosecutors, he was later apprehended on foot.

After he was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital, the police officer’s blood alcohol concentration allegedly tested .277, more than three times the legal limit of .08 in Illinois. He reportedly denied leaving the scene of the accident intentionally. Instead, the police officer claimed that he walked away disoriented from the impact of the fatal accident. Following the crash, the detective was stripped of his police powers. He resigned from the force in August 2012.

In September, the former officer pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated driving under the influence. He was also acquitted of failing to report the accident by Cook County Judge Charles Burns. Although Judge Burns stated he believed the former officer was remorseful about the accident, he reportedly took into account the man’s high blood alcohol concentration at the time of the collision when handing down his sentence.

Police in the Chicago Metro are always on the lookout for drunk or impaired drivers. In 2010, 436 individuals in Illinois died as a result of an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident. In addition, accidents that involved alcohol accounted for almost half of the 927 automobile accident deaths that occurred throughout the state. Despite the obvious dangers associated with drunken driving, nearly 42,000 driving under the influence arrests were made in 2010 in Illinois. An estimated 85 percent of all drivers who were arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol were first time offenders, and more than 75 percent were men.

Too often, the unfortunate victims of an accident with an impaired motorist suffer severe injuries or death. Although many drunk or impaired drivers are held criminally liable, they can also be held financially accountable for any damages suffered by those who were injured as a result of a drunk driving collision. If you were hurt in a crash with an impaired motorist, you may be entitled to recover the costs associated with your medical treatment, reimbursement for any lost wages, payment for any pain and suffering, and other damages. If you lost a close family member in a collision that was caused by a drunk driver, you may also be eligible to file a lawsuit for wrongful death. Contact a qualified Chicago car accident attorney to discuss your rights.
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A 32-year-old Steger man died and at least two other people were injured in a rear-end crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. According to Illinois State Police Sergeant Jose R. De Jesus, a northbound Chrysler Pacifica was hit from behind by a Chevrolet minivan after it stopped in the express lanes near 26th Street. The initial impact allegedly caused the minivan to strike a wall on the roadway and flip. Fire Media Affairs Spokesperson Kevin MacGregor said emergency responders extricated five people from the accident wreckage.

De Jesus stated one of the three passengers in the minivan was transported to Cook County’s Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Another minivan passenger was reportedly taken to Northwestern Hospital in serious condition. De Jesus said the driver of the Chrysler was also treated for non-life threatening injuries at Stroger Hospital. The northbound express lanes of the roadway were reportedly closed for more than five hours following the incident.

The exact cause of the fatal collision is under investigation by Illinois State Police. Due to the severity of the accident, it is currently unclear who was driving the minivan at the time of the crash. According to a police statement, no charges were filed in connection with the collision.

Rear-end crashes are common in the Chicago Metro. A driver or passenger in a motor vehicle that was hit from behind may suffer back and neck injuries, severe head trauma, a spinal cord injury, broken bones, and other trauma such as whiplash. As was unfortunately the case here, rear-end crashes may also result in serious injury and death. The victim in a Chicago rear-end auto accident may be entitled to recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, any disability that resulted from the collision, pain and suffering, and other damages. The close family members of an individual who was killed in such a crash may also be eligible to file a wrongful death case.

Most rear-end collisions are caused by a motorist who was following too closely or simply failed to remain attentive. Unfortunately, automobile insurance companies often work hard to reject the honest personal injury claims of individuals who had the misfortune of being struck from behind by another driver. In the State of Illinois, liability is determined based on modified comparative negligence. This means someone who was hurt in an automobile or other accident must show that the person who caused his or her harm was more to blame for the injury than they were. In addition, a damages award may be reduced based upon the injured party’s percentage of fault. You should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer to discuss your right to recovery in more detail.
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At least 18 people were hurt in a recent accident when the PACE suburban bus they were passengers on struck an automobile in Chicago Heights. According to PACE spokesperson Patrick Wilmot, the bus was headed north on Halstead Street when another vehicle attempted to turn in front of it near 12th Street. The bus was reportedly unable to stop before colliding with the automobile. Although both vehicles allegedly sustained minor damage, 18 passengers were transported to area hospitals following the crash. Wilmot stated the accident was minor and none of the passenger injuries were considered to be life-threatening.

It is unclear exactly how many passengers were riding on the PACE bus at the time of the collision. Wilmot said no delays in bus service resulted from the crash. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by local police and no citations were issued in connection with the incident.

Many people throughout Chicago utilize passenger buses on a daily basis. Children on their way to school, commuters headed to work, and others rely on bus drivers to get them to their destination in a safe and timely manner. All buses used to transport passengers must be properly designed and regularly inspected for safety hazards. The Illinois Vehicle Code also requires school bus operators in Illinois to adhere to additional safety requirements. Despite safety regulations, thousands of Chicago bus passengers are injured in unexpected collisions every year. Although some crashes are caused by other motorists on the roadway, bus accidents too often result from driver, bus company, or bus manufacturer negligence.

Because most buses do not provide passengers with safety belts, the injuries sustained by a bus rider who was involved in a Chicago area bus crash may be severe. In addition to physical harm, many victims are also faced with the financial hardships associated with lost wages and temporary or permanent disability. If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash while riding as a passenger on a bus, you are advised to discuss your injury claim with a hardworking bus accident lawyer as soon as you are able.
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Earlier this month, seven teenagers were transported to two area hospitals following an injury accident in Hinsdale. According to local police, a Toyota Sequoia carrying eight minors rolled and hit both a tree and a light pole after making a sudden turn near the intersection of Fourth and Park Streets. Hinsdale Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Wodka stated all but one of the eight teens riding in the vehicle was transported to either Adventist Hinsdale or Good Samaritan hospitals. Wodka said one of the teens allegedly suffered a head injury and four of the other juveniles hurt in the crash suffered from incapacitating injuries.

The cause of the injury accident is currently under investigation by the Hinsdale Police Department. The 16-year-old driver of the Toyota was reportedly charged with failing to appropriately reduce his speed and driving with too many other teens in the vehicle. According to Wodka, investigators are still attempting to piece together the facts and circumstances that led up to the unfortunate crash.

For the first 12 months of driving, Illinois motorists who are under the age of 18 are not allowed to operate a vehicle with more than one passenger under the age of 20 who is not an immediate family member in the car. Prior to obtaining a driver’s license, all teen drivers in the state must complete an approved driver education course. The hours during which a driver under the age of 18 may operate a vehicle on Illinois roadways is also limited. Additionally, minor drivers in the state may not use a cellular telephone with or without a hands-free device while driving except in case of extreme emergency. Texting while driving is always prohibited.

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for teenagers in both Illinois and nationwide. In 2009, an estimated 75 percent of teens had a cell phone and 66 percent used their phones to send text messages. The Illinois graduated driver license laws described above are designed to protect young people and others on the roadway from being hurt as a result of distracted driving. Although any number of factors may contribute to distracted driving, talking on mobile phones, emailing, sending text messages, and talking to passengers are common sources of distraction for new drivers.

Anyone who fails to use reasonable care while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois may be guilty of negligence. Someone who was hurt as a result of that negligence may be eligible to receive financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and disability. Contact a skilled car accident attorney to help you file your personal injury claim.
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Local police are currently investigating the death of a retired Steger Fire Department Captain who was recently killed in a hit-and-run accident in Crete. The 70-year-old man was reportedly crossing Main Street in front of a coffee shop when he was struck by an unidentified vehicle. After the accident was discovered, emergency responders transported the pedestrian to Franciscan St. James Health Hospital in Chicago Heights. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the man died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash about four hours later.

The Crete Police Department stated evidence at the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident suggests the man was hit by a Chevrolet or GMC Sport Utility Vehicle. Law enforcement officers are allegedly reviewing closed circuit video taken at a nearby business in the hopes of uncovering the identity of the hit-and-run driver. Crete Police Sgt. Brian Voticke said the vehicle will likely have noticeable front end damage as a result of the accident. Voticke added that the man’s death is now being investigated as a reckless homicide.

A hit-and-run accident occurs anytime a motorist collides with and causes damage to a person or property and flees the scene. In Illinois, a driver who is involved in an accident that results in an injury to a person or damage to property must stop at the accident scene to render aid or exchange insurance information. Failure to do so may result in the loss of driving privileges and a variety of criminal charges.

Hit-and-run crashes that involve a pedestrian often result in serious or life-altering injuries. Head trauma, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and death frequently result whenever a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle. The victim in a hit-and-run accident may be eligible to receive compensation for the cost of their medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Additionally, the close relative of someone who is killed in a hit-and run collision may also file a wrongful death claim.

When the driver in a hit-and-run collision is not apprehended, the victim still has other avenues for recovery. Someone who is injured in a hit-and-run crash may file an uninsured motorist claim against their own insurance company or that of someone who resides in their household. Additionally, the family of someone who was killed in a hit-and-run accident may be eligible to receive compensation from the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run crash, you should contact a skilled car accident lawyer to help you file your case.
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An 18-year-old driver was recently cited for running a red light, negligent driving, driving without insurance, and damage to city property in connection with an early morning crash with a police vehicle in the Fuller Park neighborhood of Chicago. According to an accident witness, the female driver failed to stop her four-door Kia automobile at a red traffic light while headed east on 47th Street near the Dan Ryan Expressway. The Kia then reportedly collided with the driver’s side of a northbound Chicago police cruiser.

Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Robert Perez stated two city police officers assigned to the traffic division were injured in the crash. Both officers allegedly suffered from whiplash and other minor injuries. One law enforcement officer was transported to Mercy Hospital for observation and the other was purportedly treated at the scene of the crash before being released. The driver of the Kia also reportedly suffered whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries. Emergency responders transported her to Saint Bernard Hospital for treatment. According to Perez, although drugs and alcohol are not suspected factors in the crash, two of the passengers in the Kia were hostile to investigators and taken into custody as a result.

Although Illinois requires all motorists to carry a minimum level of vehicle liability insurance, too many drivers are either uninsured or do not carry a sufficient level of insurance to cover the cost of the damages they cause in an accident. When a motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist is injured in an auto accident that was caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the hurt person may be eligible to file a claim for damages against his or her own automobile insurance policy. Normally, an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy limit will be the same as your liability or bodily injury policy limit. In order to collect under your uninsured or underinsured motorist policy in Illinois, a number of written notices must be filed in addition to your damages claim. Because some automobile insurance issues may need to be litigated, you should contact a skilled personal injury lawyer after any crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
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A 22-year-old Hillside man has pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana in connection with a 2010 crash that killed a motorcyclist in DuPage County. On November 30, 2010, the driver was reportedly headed north on Addison road when he attempted to turn left onto Michael Lane. As he turned, he allegedly struck a southbound motorcyclist with his Toyota Camry. Following the accident, the 46-year-old victim, of Itasca, was transported to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital with traumatic head injuries. The victim, who was not wearing a safety helmet when he was struck, later died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision.

According to police, the driver admitted to smoking marijuana about 12 hours before the fatal collision. He also reportedly tested positive for the drug. The driver, who was initially charged with two counts of aggravated DUI, now faces a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Police in the Chicago Metro are increasingly arresting drivers who are suspected of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana or other drugs. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 18 percent of drivers killed in auto accidents in 2009 had drugs in their system. In Illinois, that number was an alarming 23 percent. Like other forms of DUI, motorists who operate a car or other vehicle under the influence of drugs may have slow reaction times, blurred vision, an inability to focus, and poor judgment. Unfortunately, everyone traveling on the roadway is placed at risk when an impaired driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of a car.

As this tragic accident demonstrates, the victims of an accident with a drugged driver may experience catastrophic injuries or death. Although an impaired driver may be held criminally liable, he or she should also be held responsible for any damages that resulted from the crash. If you were hurt in an auto accident with a drugged driver, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, any resulting disability, and other damages. If you lost a loved one in an accident with an impaired driver, you may also be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer can help.
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In October, a 26-year-old mother was killed and her two small sons were injured when the Dodge minivan they were riding in was struck by a Metra Rock Island train in Morgan Park. Tristian Hicks Williams was driving her two sons, 5-year-old JonKing and 4-year-old Jayvon, to school on 115th Street when the accident occurred. According to the engineer of the train and several witnesses, the collision happened after Williams reportedly drove around train crossing gates near Marshfield Avenue. After the initial impact, the minivan was dragged for several feet before it flipped and rolled.

Tragically, Williams was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Emergency responders transported her sons to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition. Jayvon suffered facial lacerations and other injuries while JonKing suffered two broken legs.

According to a Metra spokesperson, Meg Reile, the train that struck the minivan was travelling at 79 miles per hour. Reile said the train’s speed made it impossible to stop in time to avoid a collision. An accident witness, Perry Logan, stated the minivan was in front of his own automobile when the crossing gates came down to alert drivers to the oncoming train. Logan said Williams drove around the gates and appeared to panic when she realized the train was about to strike her vehicle. He also said he heard the train’s brakes squeal as it attempted to avoid hitting the minivan.

The exact cause of the fatal accident is currently under investigation. The crash was the 24th death involving a Metra train in 2012. 20 of those deaths reportedly involved a pedestrian fatality. The collision was also the sixth accident at the same train crossing since 1975. In each of the previous accidents, a driver reportedly drove around the crossing gates before being hit.

Railroad crossings are everywhere in the Chicago metro. Despite laws designed to protect the public, pedestrian and vehicle crashes with trains still occur. A car accident with a train may be caused by many factors including inadequate warning lights, crossing gate failure, and train speed. Unfortunately, accidents with trains normally result in catastrophic injuries or death. Injury claims that arise out of an accident with a train are often complex and involve numerous laws and regulations.
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Actress and performer Natina Reed was killed on Saturday night in Atlanta after being struck by a car, according to Yahoo News. A driver called 911 around 10:30 p.m. to report hitting a pedestrian. She was pronounced dead less than 30 minutes later at the Gwinnett Medical Center.

A Gwinnett County police department representative reports that CPR was administered by someone at the scene of the accident. Further, they reported Reed was in the roadway when she was hit.

Preliminarily, the motorist was found by police not to be at fault and there were no criminal charges issued. It was not reported if there has yet been a full accident reconstruction performed. This type of report could indicate if there was any negligence on the part of the driver, such as high speed, etc.

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Personal injury lawyers at Abels and Annes, working with co-counsel, have filed a lawsuit stemming from an auto accident that occurred in Chicago, Illinois.

The plaintiff was injured when the automobile he was driving was hit head-on by a vehicle driven by a negligent driver. Our client was driving eastbound on Grand approaching its intersection with Mulligan in Chicago, Illinois. The defendant was driving westbound on Grand, approaching its intersection with Mulligan.

The other driver signaled his intention to turn left onto southbound Mulligan. Plaintiff was driving straight and had the right-of-way, so he proceeded into the intersection at Mulligan. The defendant failed to yield the right-of-way to our client and turned left, hitting the front of our vehicle with the front passenger’s side of his vehicle.

The fact pattern in this claim is very common. Our office has seen many, many accidents over the years caused by a motorist failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic while making a left turn.

The force of the impact was so great that it pushed our client’s car off the road and into a parked car.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. After speaking with both parties, the police determined the collision was the result of the defendant’s failure to yield the right-of-way.

We are alleging the negligent driver failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or reduce his speed to avoid a collision, failed to yield the right-of-way, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including Plaintiff.

Following the collision, the plaintiff had an immediate onset of neck, back and head pain.

Shortly after the collision, he sought medical treatment from a physician. The plaintiff complained of pain in his back, neck and head as well as pain in his knee. A history was taken and he was examined. Upon exam, he had paraspinal tenderness that was most severe at L4-S1, left knee pain and limited range of motion in his left knee. The doctor diagnosed him with bursitis, contusion, and a knee injury, prescribed him pain medication, and instructed him to follow up as needed.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, our client sought follow up medical care with another physician. At that time, he continued to complain of neck pain, headaches, and back pain. A history was taken and he was examined, revealing tenderness to palpation over C1-7, T1-12, L1-S1 and bilateral sacroiliac joints, tenderness to palpation over the bilateral trapezius muscles and the occipital region of the head. The doctor noted subluxations throughout his cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as muscle spasms along the spine, severe at the cervical level. His range of motion was limited in his cervical and lumbar spine. The physician ordered x-rays of his cervical and lumbar spine, which revealed a loss of normal cervical lordosis and pelvic and sacral unleveling.

The doctor diagnosed the plaintiff with cervical brachial syndrome, muscle spasm, lumbar facet syndrome, cervical, thoracic and lumbar segmental dysfunction, and sacroiliac dysfunction. He ordered a course of treatment to consist of neuroelectrical muscle stimulation, thermal modalities, and manual therapy to the spine, sacroiliac joints, and soft tissue areas where he experienced pain. Treatment was ordered to reduce his spasms, normalize his muscle tone, decrease his pain, increase his range of motion, normalize joint function and return him to his pre-injury status.

Pursuant to doctors orders, our client began a course of therapy. He engaged in twenty-four (24) sessions over several months, after which time he was discharged.

Due to the collision, our client has incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills. Today, is still having low back pain on a regular basis, some days worse than others. His pain affects the activities of his daily life and restricts him from engaging in some activities as he did prior to the collision.

A lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court due to the fact that the defendant’s insurance carrier failed to make a reasonable settlement offer out of court.

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