Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
After a car accident takes place in Chicago, it may not be immediately apparent why a crash occurred. Investigators and local police may attempt to recreate the conditions prior to an impact to determine what led to the loss of control and whether a driver’s actions played a role. When multiple cars are involved in a collision, things can be more complicated as each motorist’s role must be understood in its entirety for the authorities to properly deduce the cause of a crash.
Victims of these incidents may be left waiting for weeks or even months as all the data is reviewed, and in that time, these victims may need medical help for any injuries they sustained. Fortunately, in Chicago, the rights of a victim are not controlled by the outcome of a police investigation into an accident and rather exist independent of a police review. Those who are hurt in a car crash in Illinois have the right to seek financial compensation for their injuries against an at-fault motorist or another responsible entity, like an insurance company, corporation, city, or even the state. These claims are possible whether or not an at-fault driver is ticketed for his or her role in an accident and regardless of the outcome of any traffic charges. As these claims must be brought in accordance will all local laws and within a time period specified by law, it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury attorney if you have been injured in a collision or if your loved one was hurt or killed.
Police in Chicago are investigating a fatal accident that occurred shortly before 2:00 a.m. on Saturday morning in the city’s Portage Park neighborhood. Witnesses reported two vehicles, a sedan and a van, traveling at a high rate of speed near the 5400 block of Irving Park Road when the van allegedly collided with the sedan. The driver of the sedan lost control of the vehicle which left the road’s surface and struck a tree before coming to a rest. The van sustained damage in the collision but according to reports, the driver and at least one passenger inside the fan fled the scene without speaking to police and without checking on the condition of the person inside the sedan.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and attempted to help the driver of the sedan but that victim was too injured and died as a result of the crash. It remains unknown whether anyone in the van was hurt in the collision and at this time, police are still looking for those involved.
Based on witness descriptions, police are considering several possibilities into the incident including whether street racing played a role, but at this time, no conclusions have been released.
If you were injured while in a Chicago car accident or if you had a loved one who was hurt or killed in a collision, make sure your interests are protected by speaking with a lawyer today. If you need help, know that the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call and to provide you with a free case consultation without any obligation on your part.
We can be reached toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 where you will be able to speak with one of our licensed lawyers about your accidents and your rights, including whether you are entitled to payment for your suffering. If an accident has affected your life, call us today and let us fight for the relief that you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Safety Efforts Credited with Lowering Collisions involving Bicyclists, Pedestrians in Naperville, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 24, 2015.
Resource:
1 Dead in 2-Car Crash in Portage Park, NBCChicago.com, published August 29, 2015.