Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Intersections a dangerous place for Chicago car accidents

February 13, 2010 | By Dave Abels

One of every five fatal crashes occurs at an intersection, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has issued guidelines for driver and pedestrian safety at intersections.

The Chicago car accident attorneys and the pedestrian accident lawyers at Abels & Annes remind motorists that intersections remain one of the most dangerous places for serious or fatal Illinois traffic accidents.

The government reports that 7,772 of 37,261 traffic fatalities nationwide — or 20.8 percent — occurred at intersections in 2008. In Illinois, that percentage is even higher, with 25.2 percent of fatal Illinois traffic accidents reported at intersections, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Each year, about 250 fatal crashes occurred at intersections in Illinois.

It is easy to forget during our daily commute that an intersection s a “planned point of conflict in the roadway system,” according to the NHTSA.

In addition to Chicago car accidents, statistics show that pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents frequently occur at intersections.

Government reports found 20 percent of accidents at signalized intersections involve a turning vehicle striking a pedestrian; and trucks are at greater risk of being involved in a bicycle accident, in part because of blind spots. In 2007, 1,152 people died nationwide as a result of a pedestrian accident at an intersection.

Motorists who run red lights are a primary danger at intersections. Over 90 percent of Americans believe running a red light is “very” or “extremely” dangerous, yet two-thirds of motorists report seeing someone run a red light almost every day. More than 800 a year are killed by a crash involving someone who ran a red light.

Basic motorist tips for safe driving at intersections can be found at www.safemotorist.com, and include:

-Look both ways before proceeding into an intersection -Don’t depend on traffic signals
-Ensure the intersection is clear: Don’t presume other drivers will comply with signals -Obtain a good view before proceeding: Large trucks or people driving smaller cars and motorcycles and bicycles may have a hard time getting an unobstructed view.
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Focus on safety reduces your chances of a Chicago car accident

February 11, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Taking a moment to review safe driving habits can mean the difference between arriving at your destination safely or being involved in a serious or fatal Chicago car accident.

Periodically, we publish safe driving tips both here at Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog and on our sister site, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, including advice for safe winter driving.

This latest found of tips “Being a Heads Up Driver,” is adapted from information provided by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

1) Plan ahead; Check traffic conditions and maps and have your route planned before setting out.

2)Stow electrical devices: Chicago car accidents are frequently caused by distracted drivers. Turn off your phone before you drive. Pull over to a safe location if you need to talk on the phone or make or receive text messages.

3)Prepare kids and pets: Get kids safely situated and seat belted before you start driving. Pull over to safety before attempting to retrieve items or interact with passengers. Also prepare and secure pets, which can become a serious distraction.

4)No eating: Eat before getting behind the wheel or stop and take a break to eat if driving long distances.

5)Store possessions: Stash any loose items that might roll around and distract you from driving.

6)Maintain vehicle: Keep your vehicle well maintained. Make sure you have clean and functioning headlights and directional lighting as well as proper windshield wipers and good tires. Adjust seat positions, climate controls, stereos and other devices while you vehicle is stopped.

7)Dress before you get into the car: It’s not a dressing room. Brush your hair, apply make-up, shave and tie your tie before leaving for your destination.

8)Pay attention: Focus and drive safely. Scan the road, avoid distraction and use your mirrors.

9)Evaluate your behavior: Honestly evaluate whether you engage in poor driving habits that would worry you as another driver or pedestrian.

10)Practice: Make safe driving a daily habit.
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Defective Toyota leads to lawsuit following Chicago car accident

February 9, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A 23-year-old St. Charles resident has filed a lawsuit claiming his defective Toyota led to aChicago car accident after the gas pedal stuck open on a rented 2010 Corolla, the Chicago Breaking News Center reported. The defective vehicle claim follows a series of massive recalls by Toyota for floor mats that interfere with the gas pedal and sticking gas pedals. I software issue has also been reported on new Prius models, which can reportedly cause a delay in braking. Repairs have begun on some of the millions of impacted vehicles, the Sun-Times reported. The lawsuit, the first of its kind filed in Cook County in connection with the Toyota recalls, seeks in excess of $50,000 in damages for the Dec. 26 crash. The claim reports that the man rended the car from a Chicago-area Hertz and crashed into another car at 7th and West Main streets in St. Charles. The suit blames the Chicago car accident on a defective Toyota, claiming the driver and a passenger were injured in the crash after the gas pedal stuck and he was unable to stop the vehicle. The Chicago personal injury lawsuit also claims Hertz was negligent for renting the vehicle after the recall.

Police seek hit-and-run driver responsible for fatal Chicago bicycle accident

February 7, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Police are looking for the vehicle responsible for a suburban Chicago hit-and-run accident that killed a bicyclist, according to ABC7 News.

Family members of the 61-year-old man gathered at the scene of the Chicago bicycle accident over the weekend to pray and ask for help in locating the suspect in the fatal hit-and-run crash. The victim was hit while riding his bicycle in suburban Ford Heights, near Cottage Grove and 11th Street.

The accused driver fled and left the man lying at the side of the road.

State to spend millions this year to combat Illinois drunk driving accidents

February 5, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The rate of fatal Illinois traffic accidents has been cut in half over the last 25 years but officials hope spending tens of millions of dollars to combat Illinois drunk driving accidents can cut the rate further by the end of next year.

The Chicago car accident lawyers and the Illinois drunk driving accident attorneys at Abels & Annes have published a series of posts in recent months, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, about the continued fight against drunk driving accidents.

Impaired drivers are currently involved in about one-third of all fatal traffic accidents in Illinois.

2.2 motorists were killed in fatal Illinois car accidents for every 100 million miles traveled on state roads in 1985, compared to .99 deaths in 2008, according to the state’s new Highway Performance Safety Plan released for 2010.

One of the primary reasons cited for the decrease is enforcement of DUI laws and the prevention of Illinois drunk driving accidents, which have declined 20 percent in the last five years, from a rate of .56 in 2004 to .46 in 2008.

The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates it will receive more than 11 million in federal funding to combat impaired driving this year — the most of any targeted category. By comparison, the state is set to receive $400,000 to reduce Illinois motorcycle accidents.

The goal is to reduce Illinois traffic fatalities from 1,355 in 2004 to 883 by the end of 2011. The state hopes serious injuries decline by almost 50 percent — from 18,798 in 2004 to 10,361 by the end of next year.

As part of that goals, Illinois aims to reduce alcohol-related fatalities by about 25 percent, from 475 in 2004 to 314 by next year. Even so, more than 1 in 3 fatal Illinois traffic accidents would still involve a drunk driver.

Suburban Chicago pedestrian accident allegedly caused by drunk driver

February 3, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A suspected Chicago drunk driving accident injured a woman in downtown St. Charles over the weekend, the Daily Herald reported.

The suburban Chicago pedestrian accident occurred on Helen Avenue in West Chicago. The woman was struck by a falling tree limbs while walking on the sidewalk with a group of people after the driver ran over a curb and crashed into a tree and garbage can on the sidewalk.

The 47-year-old driver was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. The DUI charge is a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and probation.

Four friends die in suburban Chicago car accident

February 1, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A suburban Chicago car accident claimed the lives of four boyhood friends over the weekend, when their car flipped over and struck a tree in Crest Hill.

The black Lexus ES 330 flipped over and hit a tree about 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning near the 2000 block of Weber Road, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The men, ages 22, 27, 30 and 32, all died at the scene. Family and friends say the four grew up in Romeoville and were all close friends.

Three men were inside the car, while the fourth was ejected, according to NBC Chicago. Authorities indicated speed was a possible in the crash. Investigators are also examining the possibility of an equipment malfunction, which is standard procedure. The crash reconstruction could be complete in several weeks.

Oprah joins fight against distracted driving in an effort to reduce car accidents

January 29, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Oprah has launched a No Phone Zone Pledge taken by almost 50,000 people in an effort aimed at battling car accidents caused by distracted drivers.

As reported on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced earlier this month the launch of FocusDriven, the first nationwide agency dedicated to reducing distracted driving by eliminating cell phones.

The government estimates that 1 in every 6 fatal accidents were caused by distracted drivers last year — killing almost 6,000 and injuring more than 500,000 motorists.

“I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone,” Oprah’s pledge states. “Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while driving. I will ask other drivers I know to do the same. I pledge to make a difference.”

As the Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes reported earlier this month, Illinois is a leader in the fight against distracted driving — making it illegal to text while driving in Illinois and outlawing the use of cell phones in school zones and construction sites. The use of cell phones by drivers has been illegal in the City of Chicago for several years.

The talk show host is also featuring distracted-driving accidents on an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” according to the Chicago Sun Times.

Winfrey said in a statement that she is “passionate” about the issue and asked viewers to spread the message to their families, friends, co-workers and community, adding that she wants people to know “how absolutely stupid it is that we continue to text and drive.”
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Chicago tailgating accidents a preventable danger

January 27, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Unconfirmed reports that tailgating led to road rage between two truckers, which ended in a stabbing on the Edens Expressway, is an extreme example of the dangers of follow too closely. Whether tailgating turns out to be the deadly cause of this incident, following too closely slows your reaction time and can lead to a serious of fatal accident.

As many as 25 percent of Chicago car accidents are caused by a rear-end collision, according to state and federal estimates.

Police charged a Wisconsin man with murder last week for allegedly stabbing another trucker on the Edens Expressway near suburban Northfield, the Sun-Times reported.

$100,000 bail set for fatal Chicago car accident involving accused drunk driver

January 25, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Bail has been set at $100,000 for an Irving Park man charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence in connection with a drunk driving Chicago car accident that claimed the life of a friend.

The 23-year-old man was found to have a blood alcohol level of .24 — three times greater than the legal limit of .08, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The defendant was driving a Dodge Durango, owned by a friend’s parents, when he lost control while westbound in the 5100 block of Irving Park Road. The vehicle sideswiped a parked car and slammed into a light pole.