Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Are red light cameras increasing the risk of Chicago car accidents?

June 10, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Red light cameras may actually be increasing the number of Chicago car accidents at intersections, according to a new study by the University of Illinois at Chicago.

A total of 188 red-light cameras have been installed at Chicago intersections and Cook County recently announced plans to install the cameras at even more intersections in suburbia. Chicago car accident attorneys may seek the videotapes as evidence in injury cases. Debate over the cameras has raged as proponents contend they make intersections safer while opponents argue they are little more than a cash cow for government agencies that benefit from millions in ticket revenue.Arizona recently announced an end to its camera program. And, in Palm Beach Florida, a study found rear-end collisions increased without a significant decrease in the number of serious broadside collisions the cameras aim to reduce.

FOX Chicago reports the UIC study found accidents at camera-equipped intersections have actually increased 5 percent. Meanwhile, the Illinois Department of Transportation reports that accidents have declined statewide, including at intersections that are not equipped with the cameras.

A spokesman for IDOT said the study’s number are disproportionately high because the state data used in the analysis counts crashes within 250 feet of a traffic signal as an intersection accident. IDOT maintains the cameras have improved safety and reduced intersection accidents by 20 percent, compared to the 10 percent citywide decline.

Detractors, and an increasing number of studies, continue to allege that the number of rear-end collisions increase when cameras are installed because motorists slam on their brakes at the last minute to avoid getting a ticket.

FOX News also reported earlier this year that the duration of yellow lights appears to be shorter at camera-equipped intersections than at intersections in suburbia that do not have the cameras. Another contentious issue is the citing of motorists for making rolling right turns on red — something that is against the law but that few law enforcement officers enforce even when they witness the violation in person. Palm Beach relaxed its enforcement of right turn violations … after the mayor received a ticket in the mail.

Teen sucumbs to brain injury following Memorial Day Chicago car accident

June 8, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A 16-year-old teenager died Saturday night at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn from brain injuries suffered in a two-vehicle Chicago car accident over Memorial Day weekend, the Post-Tribune reported.

The victim was the passenger in a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by her 16-year-old boyfriend when their SUV crashed into another vehicle on a rain-slicked highway on Sauk Trail in suburban Cook County, the sheriff’s department reported. The passengers of the other vehicle were also hospitalized with injuries. Cause of the accident remains under investigation. The teen would have been a junior at Marian Catholic High School this fall.

About 1.7 million people a year suffer a traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls and motor vehicle accidents are the leading causes, accounting for more than half of all brain injuries that occur in the United States each year.

Fatal Illinois semi accident involves 9 vehicles; distracted trucker may be to blame

June 6, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Three women were killed last Monday and a dozen injured in an Illinois semi accident authorities believe may have been caused by a distracted trucker.

The Chicago Tribune reported the accident happened on I-57 north of Mattoon when the tractor trailer crashed into a group of cars slowing for construction. The chain-reaction collision involved at least 9 vehicles, many of which were completely destroyed. The Coles County coroner’s office reported there women — ages 61, 68 and 80 — were killed after the SUV they were traveling in was crushed by the truck.

Cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police. Police tested the blood and urine of the 55-year-old Louisiana truck driver but have no indication that drugs are alcohol are involved. However, a state police Captain said the crash was likely caused by driver inattention.

Truckers back law punishing excessive speed as means to reduce Illinois car accidents

June 3, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Lawmakers are targeting excessive speeders in an effort to reduce Illinois car accidents.

The measure has the support of some professional truck drivers, who cite aggressive and speeding drivers as a cause of Illinois trucking accidents, according to Land Line Magazine, a professional trucking publication.Last month, the Chicago Tribune reported the results of an investigation that determined nearly two-thirds of motorists cited for speeding in excess of 100 mph, were given court supervision, a form of probation that kept the citations off their driving records, prevented them from having their driver’s licenses suspended and kept their insurance rates from increasing.

At least 1,100 motorists caught traveling 100 mph or faster in Illinois during the last five years were given such breaks.

This week, House lawmakers unanimously passed a measure that would prohibit judges from allowing court supervision in cases where a motorist is convicted of driving at least 40 mph over the limit. The Senate unanimously passed a slightly different version.

As we reported in November on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, speeding drivers cost an average of $44,193 a minute in speed-related accidents nationwide.

Speed facts:
-Risk of death or serious injury doubles for every 10 mph over 50 mph that a vehicle is traveling at the moment of impact.
-On average, more than 30 people a day, or 1,000 people a month, die in speed-related crashes, making speeding a cause or contributing factor in about one-third of nationwide traffic fatalities each year.
-One-third of fatal crashes involving young motorists, ages 15 to 24, involve speeding.

Frequent causes of Chicago traffic accidents — speeders and red-light violators — subject of proposed legislation

June 1, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Lawmakers have forwarded two measures to Gov. Pat Quinn that would toughen the penalty for excessive speed and ease the chances of being cited for a red-light violation via a camera-ticket, the Breaking News Center reported.

Running red lights and speeding are two of the leading causes of Chicago auto accidents, though red-light cameras have come under increasing fire as little more than a money maker for local governments.

The speeding law would prevent drivers found guilty of going 40 mph or more over the limit from receiving a form of probation, known as court supervision, that allows the violation to be removed from a driver’s record if no other violations occur within a set number of months.

The measure comes after an analysis by the Tribune, which found two-thirds of drivers cited for going 100 mph or faster had received court supervision. The supervision option essentially amounts to diversion, which can keep the violation off a driver’s record, prevent it from being taken into account for future violations and negates the chances of increased insurance premiums and other penalties for excess speed. The proposed law would also give judges the option of jail time for speeders caught driving 30 to 39 mph over the limit.

The measure passed the state legislature by a vote of 105-3. The red-light camera proposal passed with a vote of 80-27-1.

The camera legislation would prohibit municipalities from adding additional fees to the standard $100 fine in cases where the ticket is appealed. The fees have become common as a way to deter motorists from fighting the charges. While drivers would still have to come to a complete stop before making a right turn on red, the measure would allow drivers to stop in front of the painted stop line before making the turn, as long as pedestrians are not present.

Municipalities that utilize the cameras would also be required to review the data in an attempt to reveal who effective the cameras are in reducing car accidents.
Continue reading

Mom injures her own daughter in Chicago DUI car accident

May 30, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A mother has hurt her own daughter in a Chicago car crash, and it is alleged she was driving drunk at the time, according to the Chicago Tribune. The car accident happened on Thursday night in the 1400 block of South Pulaski Road.

Chicago police officers actually witnessed the accident. They were in the middle of a traffic stop when the 25-year-old defendant drove by going Northbound in a 1997 Chevy. She hit a 1994 Buick, then a truck before coming to a stop.

The mother was charged with aggravated DUI, driving on a suspended license, no insurance, leaving the scene of an accident, and a no seat belt violation for both her and her daughter.

Chicago car accidents, boating accidents, a Memorial Day weekend danger

May 28, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Authorities are urging motorists to use caution in an effort to avoid Chicago car accidents during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

While New Year’s is often cited as a dangerous holiday for driving, increased enforcement and public service announcements have largely negated the dangers. Meanwhile, the three summer holidays — Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day — continue to pose a significant risk to motorists on the road.The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police have announced intensive traffic enforcement campaigns that will run through the weekend.

Last year, 30 motorists were killed in Illinois car accidents during the Memorial Day weekend, a huge jump from the 8 deaths recorded during 2008.

“We are proud to partner with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies throughout the state, to prepare the public for the summer driving months,” said Illinois State Police Acting Director Jonathon E. Monken.

Of primary concern will be preventing Chicago drunk driving accidents. A total of 435 of Illinois’ 1,043 car accidents were caused by a drunk driver in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officials are also stressing boating safety in an effort to reduce Chicago boating accidents as the summer boating season begins in earnest with the arrival of Memorial Day weekend. The Chicago Tribune reports 102 Illinois boating accidents last year killed 25 people and injured 71.

Number of fatal holiday traffic accidents in Illinois in 2008

New Year’s Eve: 2
Memorial Day: 7
Fourth of July: 14
Labor Day: 12
Thanksgiving: 8
Christmas: 8
Nationwide holiday traffic accidents

New Year’s: 141
Memorial Day: 370
Fourth of July: 437
Labor Day: 423
Thanksgiving: 439
Christmas: 364 Continue reading

Chicago hit and run accident seriously injures child, police searching for driver

May 26, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A twelve year old boy has been critically injured in a Chicago hit-and-run pedestrian accident on the South Side, according to the ABC News. The pedestrian accident happened on Sunday in the 8000 block of South May Street in the early evening.

The boy was crossing the street when a 2 door Cadillac struck him. The car was traveling southbound and just kept going after the accident. The driver has been described as African American, age 20-26, and is known by the alias of KB.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition. CBS News is reporting that he suffered multiple injuries and sever head trauma, facial lacerations and a fractured leg that has been surgically repaired. He is currently in a drug induced coma.

Chicago car accident involving ambulance concludes series of weekend accidents

May 25, 2010 | By Dave Abels

– A Chicago car crash involving an ambulance injured a fire department paramedic and a patient early Monday morning on the Northwest Side, the Breaking News Center reported.

The ambulance was on a transport run to Resurrection Medical Center when it was struck in the 6000 block of West Foster Avenue. The 46-year-old driver of the other vehicle was also injured and taken to the hospital. He was cited for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

– A Chicago bus accident involved two other vehicles and injured three people just after 7 a.m. Monday. The fire department reported the crash happened near the intersection of Lawrence and Elston avenues.

Proposed laws aimed at reducing Chicago bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, car accidents

May 23, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The State Journal-Register reports that lawmakers are considering a number of new laws aimed at increasing traffic safety in Illinois. Last year, the most significant legislation to come out of the capitol was a law that banned text messaging by drivers and cell phone use in school zones and construction sites.

Laws being considered this year:

Crosswalk Safety

Toughening crosswalk safety, lawmakers are considering a law requiring motorists to stop at a crosswalk with a pedestrian in it in an effort to reduce Illinois pedestrian accidents. Currently, Illinois law uses the more ambiguous “yield” wording when dealing with crosswalks and pedestrians.

Supporters contend the law would be easier for authorities to enforce. The measure would apply to unregulated crosswalks, not those regulated by traffic signals or stop signs. Drivers who fail to stop would face a fine of at least $150.

Illinois Teen Drivers

Driving hours could be reduced for teenagers in an effort to combat Illinois car accidents involving teen drivers.

Proposed legislation would reduce by half an hour the amount of time drivers under 18 could be on the road on Friday and Saturday nights. Teen drivers would have to be off the road by 10:30 p.m. Currently, young drivers are not allowed to be on the road from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. and between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the week.

The measure has the support of the American Automobile Association.

“Friday and Saturday nights statistically are the most dangerous times of the week for teens to be driving,” AAA spokeswoman Beth Mosher said. “Research has shown that teen injuries and fatalities are reduced when the nighttime driving provision is set earlier.”

Excessive Speeding

A proposed law would not allow court supervision, a form of probation that can keep a citation off a driver’s record, for motorists caught going more than 40 mph over the speed limit. Driving more than 40 mph over the speed limit is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $25,000 fine. However, an investigation by the media recently found more than half of drivers ticketed for driving 100 mph or faster received court supervision.

Under the proposal, drivers caught going 30 to 39 mph over the limit would also face serious consequences, including up to six months in jail and a $1,500 fine.

Illinois Bicycle Safety

A proposed law would toughen the penalty on drivers who cause an Illinois bicycle accident, pedestrian accident or accident involving a horse-drawn carriage. If a victim suffers serious injuries, a driver could face 2-5 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

The law would also make it illegal to throw something at a bicyclist.

Interstate Speed Limit

A proposal to increase the speed to 70 mph on Illinois interstates will not become law after failing to make it out of the senate. The speed limit for semis was raised to 65 mph at the beginning of the year.