Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Child Dies in Rear-End Crash in Naperville, Illinois

December 11, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Police are investigating a Naperville crash that took the life of a five-year-old boy in November. According to the Daily Herald, the child’s father was driving south when a tire blew out on his car. The father pulled into the curb lane and turned on his hazard lights, but another motorist going in the same direction didn’t see the vehicle. The second motorist hit their parked car with such force that the child was trapped in the back seat. Everyone involved went to the hospital; both adults were treated and released. The report said authorities were still investigating the cause.

This is a good example of how serious a rear-end accident can be. Many people think “rear-ender” is synonymous with “minor accident,” but as a Chicago auto accident attorney, I’ve handled many cases where a rear-end accident turned out to be quite serious. In November, I wrote about one client of ours who was diagnosed with a herniated cervical disc in his neck after a rear-end accident at a stoplight. Many other rear-end accidents end up causing soft tissue injuries to the victims’ necks, with substantial chronic pain.

If you were involved in this type of accident through no fault of your own, you have a legal right to hold the at-fault person responsible. An Illinois car accident lawsuit can hold a careless driver responsible for a wrongful death or permanent disability and cover all of the medical bills, repair costs and other bills caused by the crash. If you’re interested in learning more about your legal rights as an accident victim, please contact my firm, Abels & Annes P.C., for a free consultation.

Chicago Fire Trucks Have Three Accidents in Three Days

December 9, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Chicago saw three accidents with fire trucks in as many days in November, according to NBC Chicago. In a Nov. 8 accident, a woman drove her car into the side of a fire truck at around 10 a.m.; she told authorities that she couldn’t tell where the siren was coming from, although a spokesman for the Fire Department said other traffic at the intersection was stopped. On Nov. 6, another woman failed to yield to a fire truck, causing the truck to hit her car and then a building.

In the third accident, on Nov. 7, a man ran a stop sign into the path of a fire truck. The impact pushed the man’s car into a pole and two parked cars. The man was not badly hurt, but has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Fortunately, only one firefighter was hurt in the three accidents, on Nov. 6; firefighters even stopped and gave first aid to the man who ran the stop sign.

As a Chicago auto accident lawyer, I have worked with many clients who needed help from emergency medical technicians right after their accidents. Sometimes, that help has made the difference for them — but time is important. You can help by pulling to the side of the road for emergency vehicles whenever possible, or staying put when you’re stopped at an intersection with two-way traffic, even when you have a green light. That said, I also know that emergency vehicles sometimes fail to use their lights and sirens when they should. When that’s the case, innocent drivers who hapen to be nearby can be hurt.

Chicago Area Bike vs. Car Accident Claim Settled

November 20, 2008 | By Dave Abels

Chicago Car Accident Lawyers from Abels & Annes, P.C. have resolved a bicycle accident claim for a DuPage County resident who was hit by a State Farm driver. The accident happened on June 28, 2008 in front of 529 S. Ardmore in Villa Park, Illinois. Our client was riding his bicycle southbound along the curb of the northbound lanes when the northbound defendant hit him with his car.

Our client was taken from the scene of the crash by ambulance to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. He had complaints of right ankle pain. X-rays were negative for fracture and he was discharged with instructions to return if pain increased.

Over the next few days his right leg and ankle pain remained. He also had headaches, weakness, and trouble walking. His pain was exacerbated by movement.