Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog

According to the Daily Chronicle, a settlement has not yet been reached in the Illinois car crash deaths of 18-year-old Amanda Elkins, 18, and her 10-month-old daughter Jazmine Luciano in 2005. Their family believes that Elkins crashed her car into a semi-truck because the staff that administered medication to her did not advise that it would make her too drowsy to drive safely.

On January 26, 2005, Elkins, who was suffering from flu-like symptoms, went to the Dreyer Medical Center in Batavia. While she was there, the medical staff intravenously administered Phenergan to her. One of the side effects of this medication is drowsiness.

On her way home, Elkins drove her 2002 Kia Rio across the center line of Route 30 and crashed her vehicle head-on into a semi-trailer. She died at the Illinois semi-truck crash site. Her daughter Jazmine, who was in a car seat in the back of the car, was pronounced dead at a Dekalb hospital.

DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller says that a doctor who treated Elkins said during the coroner’s inquest that he did not realize that Elkins was planning on driving herself. Elkins’ mother, Molly Farrell, says her daughter would not have crashed her car if the doctor had told her not to drive. Following the accident, the clinic began requiring medical staff to tell patients when it is too dangerous to drive after taking certain medications.

Car Accident and Medications
Most medicines have side effects, some of which can impair a driver’s ability to drive safely. Certain medications can make a person drowsy, groggy, dizzy, confused, blur vision, and/or unable to react quickly. All of these reactions can make it hard for a motorist to pay attention, think clearly, and deal with emergency situations. Physicians can be sued for medical malpractice if they prescribed a drug that caused a Chicago car crash because they did not notify the patient of side effects. Another possible liable party is a pharmaceutical company that did not provide adequate warnings of risks involved with taking the drug.

Local family waiting on 'justice' from 2005 car accident, Daily Chronicle, April 2, 2011

Prescription Drugs May Impact Driving Performance, EMaxHealth

Related Web Resources:
Amanda and Jazmine Blog

CyberDrive Illinois

Helen Miller, a Lake Villa woman, is suing Vista Health System Surgery and Treatment Center for her Lake County, Illinois car accident injuries. Miller, 42, was driving in Lindenhurst last October when a tree fell on her car, causing one of its branches to crash through her windshield and impale her beneath her lungs and above her stomach. The medical facility is the owner of the property where the tree was located.

The dead tree fell on Miller’s car after gusts of wind over 50 mph caused it to snap. Although she was fortunate because none of her vital organs were hit when she was impaled, Miller had to be placed into a medically induced coma and she sustained serious and permanent injuries.

Car Crashes Involving Falling Trees
A property owner can be held liable for a Chicago car collision if there was a hazard on a premise that caused the accident to occur. Auto crashes caused by falling trees/tree branches are not as uncommon as you would think. Over the years there have been numerous vehicle crashes that have occurred because the owner of a property failed to properly maintain a tree, which ended up falling on a vehicle or a pedestrian. Fatalities have been known to occur as a result.

In February, a 41-year-old man died when a tree collapsed and fell on the pickup truck he was riding. Three other people who were with him were also hurt. In 2008, a woman died from injuries she sustained when a tree fell on her car. Her daughter was in the vehicle with her when the deadly accident happened. The year before, a 49-year-old man was killed when a tree fell on his van. His family sued for wrongful death and claimed the city did not make sure that the tree roots were cut properly.

Woman impaled by tree branch sues medical center, Chicago Tribune, April 20, 2011

Woman Impaled by Tree Branch Sues, NBC Chicago, April 21, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Nolo

Car Accidents, Justia

More Blog Posts:
Chicago Injury Lawsuit Involving Boy with Brain Damage After He was Struck by Tree Branch is Settled for $1.55M, Chicago Injury Attorney Blog, February 7, 2011
Chicago Car Accident Risks Rise When There is Snow and Ice on the Road, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, December 21, 2010

Although the state has taken action to improve bicycle safety with new laws, the Active Transportation Alliance wants transportation officials to keep count of ‘dooring’ accidents. The safety advocates group says this type of crash is the most common type of Illinois bicycle accident. However, because these traffic incidents don’t involve moving vehicles, the Illinois Department of Transportation says that it doesn’t track them and is denying the safety advocates' request.

Getting “doored” involves a moving bicyclist getting hit by a car door that suddenly opens. Usually the car is one that is parked and the door that opens is the one on the driver’s side.

Dooring accidents can cause serious injuries. One rider, 22-year-old Clinton Micelli, died in a Chicago bicycle accident in 2008 after he was struck by an SUV door whose driver opened it while on North LaSalle Street. Micelli fell off his bike and was run over by another vehicle.

Considering that, per Illinois Department of Transportation statistics, about 3,500 Illinois bicycle crashes happen a year, causing over 3,300 injuries and at least 18 fatalities, it is important that safety officials do their part to help decrease the number of cycling collisions.

Bicyclists are so vulnerable to serious injuries and death during a Chicago car crash. Not only can some injuries be debilitating, disabling, and life-altering, but also, the costs of medical care and recovery can be very high.

Unfortunately, some people don’t even realize that they may be entitled to personal injury compensation or that they do have just cause to file a claim. Don’t jump to conclusions. Contact our Chicago car accident law firm and ask for your free case evaluation.

Bikers call for state to count 'dooring' accidents, Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2011

Why do Drivers Hate Cyclists, ChicagoMag, March 22, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Active Transportation Alliance

Illinois Department of Transportation

More Blog Posts:
Chicago Bicycle Accident Leaves Rider with Critical Injuries, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, September 30, 2010

Dolton Car Accident Kills Teen and Now Parents are Suing Village and Cook County for Fatal Police Pursuit, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, August 19, 2010

Preventing Illinois Bicycle Accidents: Governor Pat Quinn Signs New Safety Bills in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, July 5, 2010

Two months after 17-year-old Bahra Echmail was killed in a Chicago car accident, her mother is suing driver Francisco Campos for Illinois wrongful death. Campos, 22, was driving the SUV that Echmail was a passenger in when it drove through a stop sign and hit another auto on West North Shore Avenue on January 22.

Campos and four other people in the SUV sustained injuries. Police have since charged Campos with aggravated DUI causing accidental death.

If someone you love was killed in a Cook County car accident, you may be able to sue them for Chicago wrongful death. Filing a civil lawsuit won’t bring your loved one back and it can't make up for your loss. It can, however, allow you to recover damages for the liable party. Your Chicago personal injury case would be separate from any criminal charges filed against the negligent driver.

Unfortunately, people continue to drive drunk despite knowing that this type of negligent driving behavior can cause death and injury. Today, Lynwood village clerk Roel "Roy" Valle pleaded not guilty to one charge of reckless homicide and six counts of aggravated driving under the influence.

Valle was allegedly drunk when, after driving home from a political fundraiser and stopping at a bar in a village-issued car, he struck two cars while driving the wrong way up Illinois Highway 394. Police say that at the time, his BAC was 0.135%.

Mlikah Little, a 32-year-old Marquette Park mom of four, died in that Chicago car accident. Records show that Little’s family is suing the Village of Lynwood and Valle for her Chicago wrongful death.

Lynwood clerk pleads not guilty in DUI crash death, Chicago Tribune, March 29, 2011

Valle pleads not guilty in fatal crash, NWTimes, March 29, 2011

Family sues over crash that killed teen, Chicago Tribune, March 15, 2011

Teen Dead, 5 Hurt In Rogers Park Crash, CBS Chicago, January 22, 2011

Related Web Resources:
NHTSA

CyberDrive Illinois

More Blog Posts:
Fatal Hit-and-Run Chicago Car Accident on I-55 Involved Alleged Drunk Driver, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, March 24, 2011

17-Year-Old Dies in Chicago Car Crash that Leaves Five Others with Injuries, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, January 26, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Injures Two Teenagers, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, January 10, 2011

Police are charging Fernando Almaraz, 40, with aggravated drunk driving in the Chicago car crash that killed Enrique Lopez, 32, on March 17. Lopez, whose vehicle was experiencing mechanical problems, was standing on the side of the road on the I-55 (Stevenson) Expressway and waiting for a tow truck when he was struck by a pickup truck around 10:17 pm. The truck then left the Cook County auto accident scene.

According to one witness, the driver of the pickup cross the solid white “fog line” and hit Lopez. The pickup truck was discovered soon after in the 5400 block of South Ellis Avenue, where Almaraz is a resident.

The officers who apprehended him say that they smelled alcohol on his breath and there was an open can of alcohol in the car. They also said that his speech was slurred and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. Per the police report, Almaraz failed all field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. His blood-alcohol content was reportedly twice the legal limit, and he admitted to drinking before the Chicago pedestrian accident happened.

Autopsy results indicate that Lopez died of multiple injuries from being hit by a car.

Drunk Driving
Every year, lives are lost and families are destroyed because there were people who drove drunk. Although drunk people usually are not fully in control of their faculties and are known to make poor decisions, this does not exempt them from responsibility or liability for their actions—especially if serious Chicago injuries or wrongful death result. Also, filing a Chicago car accident case or wrongful death lawsuit can allow you to recover the costs incurred from medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other damages suffered.

Prosecutors: Driver in fatal Stevenson crash was drunk, Chicago Tribune, March 19, 2011

Motorist charged with DUI in fatal hit-and-run, Sun-Times, March 19, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Stop Impaired Driving, NHTSA

More Blog Posts:
Mother of Chicago Car Accident Victim Killed Last Thanksgiving Files Cook County Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, November 24, 2010

Bolingbrook, Illinois Car Accident Kills Sleeping Chicago Woman as SUV Crashes into Her Bedroom, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, November 16, 2010

Drunk Drivers Can Cause Catastrophic Chicago Car Accident Injuries, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, August 27, 2010

Continue reading "Fatal Hit-and-Run Chicago Car Accident on I-55 Involved Alleged Drunk Driver" »

Ramona A. Zentefis, a 76-year-old Des Plaines resident, died this morning when she was struck by a car during an Arlington Heights pedestrian accident in the Northwest Community Hospital’s parking garage. The driver of the minivan that struck her is 59-year-old Mount Prospect resident.

At the time of the Cook County car accident, the van was going up the first floor parking garage ramp when it hit Zentefis, who was in a pedestrian crosswalk. Paramedics and hospital staffers treated the elderly pedestrian, while others worked to free her from under the van. She was pronounced dead in the hospital emergency room. Police are investigating the incident.

Parking Lot Accidents
Our Chicago car accident lawyers are sorry to have to report that parking lots can be a dangerous place for pedestrians. Common causes of parking lot pedestrian accidents:

• Speeding
• Failure to watch out for pedestrians
• Backover accidents
• Distracted driving
• Texting or talking on the phone while driving
• Failure to obey traffic signs
• Failure to yield
• Aggressive driving, such as when drivers race each other to grab the empty spot
• Inadequately designed walkways
• Wheel stops
• Poor lighting
• Potholes
• Uneven surfaces
• Improperly marked handicap zone
• Blind spots

Pedestrian Safety
Just because you are in a parking lot doesn’t mean you aren't at risk of become the victim of a Chicago pedestrian accident. Watch out for cars, cross in designated areas, and don’t assume that a driver backing out of a parking lot has seen you.

Ramona A. Zentefis Killed by Minivan in Crosswalk at Hospital Parking Garage, The Cardinal, March 16, 2011

Woman struck, killed in hospital lot, Trib Local, March 16, 2011

Related Web Resources:
America Walks

Pedestrian Statistics, Cyber Drive Illinois

Related Web Resources:
Aurora, Illinois Car Accident Injures One Pedestrian While Killing Another, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, October 29, 2010

Cook County Cell Phone Accident Causes Serious Injuries to Berwyn Pedestrian, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, September 24, 2010

Champaign, Illinois Teenager Was Texting When He Fatally Struck Chicago Pedestrian with His Car, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, July 26, 2010

Continue reading "76-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Arlington Heights Car Accident in Parking Lot" »

Just when safety officials were getting the word out that talking on the cell phone and texting while driving can cause car crashes, State Farm is now reporting that surfing the Web has also become a common driver distraction. The insurer says that of the 912 licensed drivers that answered its informal online survey, almost one in five drivers admitted to surf the Internet while driving at least once a week. Our Chicago car crash lawyers are very concerned about this finding.

While our Chicago cell phone accident firm would like to hope that that people would deduce that if texting while driving is dangerous, then surely posting a Tweet, reading CNN.com in moving traffic, or sending a Facebook friend request is no less safe, State Farm says that over 19% of respondents admitted to going online on a cell phone while driving.

Granted, this figure is much lower than the 74% of respondents who said that they talk on the cell phone while driving at least once a week or the 35% who admitted to texting and driving, it is disturbing to know that there are so many drivers out there who are endangering themselves and others because they are on the Internet.

It was just last month that we reported on a Chicago wrongful death lawsuit against a driver accused of updating her Facebook page while driving. A pedestrian was killed in that Illinois distracted driving crash.

Currently, in Illinois, all drivers are barred from texting while driving. Ban of handheld cell phone use, however, is at the discretion of each locality. Chicago is one of those localities that has banned the use of handheld cell phone ban while driving.

If you believe that a smart phone played a role in causing your injuries, our Chicago cell phone accidents law firm wants to talk to you.

19 Percent Of Drivers Say They Use The Internet While Driving, State Farm, March 4, 2011

Many admit using Web while driving, Sun-Times, March 4, 2011

Distracted Driving: Chicago Car Crash Occurred Because Driver was Updating Facebook Page, Claims Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys, February 15, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Cellphone Laws, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Distracted Driving, CyberDrive Illinois

More Blog Posts:
Illinois Court of Claims Awards $8M to Family of Uhl Sisters Killed in 2007 Car Crash Caused by State Trooper Accused of Speeding, Texting, and Cell Phone Driving, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers, January 20, 2011

Cook County Cell Phone Accident Causes Serious Injuries to Berwyn Pedestrian, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers, September 24, 2010

Champaign, Illinois Teenager Was Texting When He Fatally Struck Chicago Pedestrian with His Car, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers, July 26, 2010

28-year-old Elvis Hernandez is dead from injuries he suffered almost a year-and-a-half ago during an Illinois car wreck in Aurora. Hernandez has been in the hospital since October 9, 2009, when the car he was in a passenger in was involved in a traffic crash with a box truck.

The Aurora man was riding in a 1999 Lexus SUV driven by David Solis, also 28, when the latter rear-ended a 2009 International 4400 box truck that was stopped in traffic. Following the Illinois truck crash, Solis drove his SUV into a gas station parking lot and fled the scene. Hernandez, who sustained major head trauma, remained in the front passenger seat.

45 minutes after the Aurora car accident, Solis returned to the crash site. He was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, driver under the influence of drugs, driving without insurance, and driving on a suspended license. Currently behind bars over these charges, more are likely pending now that Hernandez has died.

Chicago Car Crash Injuries
Sustaining a serious injury during a Chicago car crash can be tough physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. Recovery can take months or, in some severe cases, a victim is left permanently disabled. The bills for hospital stays, 24-hour care, rehabilitation services, doctor visits, medications, surgeries, tests, as well as the loss of income, benefits, and future earnings can take a toll.

Man dies year after DUI crash, charges upgraded, ABC Local, February 22, 2011

Aurora crash victim dies 16 months later, Daily Herald, February 21, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Head Trauma, eMedicine

Treatments and drugs, MayoClinic

More Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog Posts:
Nursing Home Worker Dies from Injuries Sustained in Chicago Car Crash Involving Hit-and-Run Driver, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, February 11, 2011

Toddlers Seriously Injured in Fatal Lake County Car Crash Upgraded to Stable Condition, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, December 14, 2010

11-Year-Old Girl Dragged in Hit-and-Run Chicago Car Accident Dies, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, June 25, 2010

Continue reading "More than a Year After Sustaining Head Trauma in an Illinois Car Crash, Man Dies in a Chicago Hospital" »

The daughter of Raymond Veloz claims that distracted driving caused the fatal Chicago car crash that killed him last year. Veloz, 70, was struck by a car in a Cook County pedestrian accident on December 7, 2010.

Veloz had just gotten out of his car to trade information with the driver of another vehicle he had just been involved in a Chicago traffic crash with when he was hit by another auto driven by Araceli Beas. Veloz’s right leg was partially severed during the collision, and his daughter alleges that this caused him to bleed to death.

In her Chicago wrongful death lawsuit against Beas, Regina Cabrales claims that the driver was using her cell phone to update her Facebook page when she struck Veloz. Beas, who was cited for failing to avoid striking a pedestrian, has said that her ability to see the road was impeded by the sun. Cabrales, however, claims that Beas was negligent in driving her car, failed to keep a proper lookout, used an electronic communication device while driving, and did not slow down to avoid an accident. Cabrales is seeking unspecified damages from Beas.

Chicago Cell Phone Accidents
It’s already been established that talking or texting on a cell phone can distract a driver enough to cause a Chicago car crash. Is it any surprise then that updating one’s Facebook status or publishing a Twitter post can prove catastrophic when done while operating a motor vehicle?

Any time a driver stops paying full attention to the task at hand, he/she increases the chances of becoming involved in an auto collision. Multitasking does not work when one is driving especially because a part of the brain that should be focused on driving is now also doing something else.

If you believe that a driver caused a Chicago car crash because he/she was cell phone driving, your injury attorney can help access phone and data records and other evidence to prove your case.

Suit: Woman in fatal crash was updating Facebook, Chicago Breaking News, February 15, 2011

Driver Was Updating Facebook Page When She Ran Over, Killed Elderly Man: Lawsuit, MyFoxChicago, February 14, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving

Facebook

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Court of Claims Awards $8M to Family of Uhl Sisters Killed in 2007 Car Crash Caused by State Trooper Accused of Speeding, Texting, and Cell Phone Driving, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, January 20, 2011

Cook County Cell Phone Accident Causes Serious Injuries to Berwyn Pedestrian, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, September 24, 2010

Nearly 90% of Teen Drivers Engage in Distracted Driving, Say AAA & Seventeen Magazine Survey, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, August 2, 2010

Continue reading "Distracted Driving: Chicago Car Crash Occurred Because Driver was Updating Facebook Page, Claims Wrongful Death Lawsuit" »

Three weeks after he was injured in a Chicago hit-and-run car collision, nursing home worker Courtney Hughes has died. He was driving to get gas at about 2am on January 21 when his vehicle was broadsided by another auto.

According to Hughes' relatives, it was another half hour before someone reported the Chicago car accident. He died yesterday following surgery for his injuries. Police are trying to locate the hit-and-run driver.

Chicago Car Accidents Involving Hit-and-Drivers
Just because you were struck in a hit-and-run crash doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t explore your legal options. Over the years, our Chicago injury lawyers have successfully represented many clients injured in hit-and-run collisions and in other accidents involving drivers who were uninsured or underinsured. Ideally, police will eventually locate the responsible driver. But even if they don’t, you may still be able to pursue a successful claim against your insurer. There also may be other parties who should be held liable.

Just this Tuesday, two women suffered critical injuries in a Chicago pedestrian accident also involving a hit-and-run driver on a Loop street. The Cook County, Illinois traffic crash occurred at around 7pm on South State Street. The victims, both in their 50’s, were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Last Friday, a man was killed in another hit-and run accident. The victim, who was found unresponsive on the road following the Humboldt Park car accident was pronounced dead at the scene.

Some reasons why drivers hit and run:
• Fear of the consequences
• Drunk or drugged driving
• He/she already has a criminal record
• Panic

Hit-and-run victim dies after surgery, ABC7 News, February 11, 2011

Man killed in apparent hit-and-run near Humboldt Park, Chicago Sun-TImes, February 5, 2011

Two Critically Injured During Loop Hit-And-Run, CBS Local, February 8, 2011

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Illinois Department of Transportation

Related Blog Posts:
Woman Pedestrian Loses Her Leg in Chicago Car Crash, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, January 31, 2011

17-Year-Old Dies in Chicago Car Crash that Leaves Five Others with Injuries, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, January 26, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Injures Two Teenagers, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, January 10, 2011

Continue reading "Nursing Home Worker Dies from Injuries Sustained in Chicago Car Crash Involving Hit-and-Run Driver " »

Joanne McGee, 58, was standing at a bus stop last Wednesday when she a Buick LeSabre drove onto the sidewalk and ran into her. In addition to other injuries that she sustained in the Chicago car crash, she broke one leg and the other had to be amputated.

Police arrested the Buick’s driver, 21-year-old Tyreesha Fraley, on Friday. She had fled from her vehicle at the crash site and is now charged with a number of offenses, including failure to render aid to the injured, driving without a license, and failure to report an accident involving injury.

Chicago Car Accident Cases
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a traffic crash that was caused by someone else, our Chicago car accident lawyers would like to urge you to explore your legal options right away. With injuries that are severe, it is important that your Chicago injury lawsuit is handled professionally to increase the chances of you receiving the maximum financial recovery possible.

Your Chicago auto crash lawyer can help you understand the nature of your case, gather the necessary documents, facts, and evidence to build your case, talk to witnesses, assess your injuries and expected medical and recovery expenses, determine how much income you will lose because of time you’ll have to take from work, assess your current health insurance coverage, deal with the other party’s insurer and attorneys, prepare your case, and determine whether settling or going to court is best for your claim or lawsuit.

Hit-run crash cost victim her leg, prosecutors say, Chicago Tribune, January 29, 2011

Police: Residents help ID bus stop hit-and-run suspect, ABC Local, January 31, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Woman Pedestrian Loses Her Leg in Chicago Car Crash " »

Francisco Campos, 20, is charged with one felony count of aggravated DUI/accidental death and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence in a West Rogers Park car accident that killed 17-year-old Bahra Echmail, who was a passenger in the car. The Chicago traffic crash occurred early Saturday on North Central Avenue.

According to police, Campos crashed his 2003 Ford Explorer SUV while speeding when it failed to yield the right of way at an intersection and struck a 1997 Nissan Maxima. The SUV then proceeded to hit two parked autos before jumping a curb and hitting a tree. Echmail, who sustained cervicospinal injuries, was one of the passengers in Campos’s vehicle. Campos and four other teenagers sustained injuries during the Cook County auto crash.

Chicago Car Accidents
There are Chicago motor vehicle cases involving people who were riding in the same car, with the driver as the defendant and the passenger as the plaintiff. Even if you are friends with the driver, it is important that if you are considering pursuing a claim that you don’t speak with the other party’s insurer or attorney until you explore you legal options and find out whether you have a case on your hands.

Common grounds for this type of Chicago car accident lawsuit:
• Driver error
• Drunk driving
• Drugged driving
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Failure to obey traffic signs
• Cell phone driving or texting

In Illinois, the state of limitations for filing a Chicago car accident claim seeking injury damages is two years from the date of the accident. For minors, the statute starts running on his/her 18th birthday.

Man charged in crash that killed girl, 17, ABC Local, January 24, 2011

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Insurance Institute of Highway Safety

Continue reading "17-Year-Old Dies in Chicago Car Crash that Leaves Five Others with Injuries" »

The Illinois Court of Claims has awarded $8 million to the parents of 18-year-old Jessica Uhl and her 15-year-old sister Kelli Uhl. The Collinsville sisters died in 2007 in a head-on Illinois car crash involving state trooper Matt Mitchell on Interstate 64. This is the highest award ever issued by the court.

Mitchell, claims that he lost control of his auto because another vehicle that cut him off was headed to the scene of an accident when the Illinois auto crash happened. However, there is evidence indicating that he was speeding at 126 miles per hour, talking on his cell phone to his girlfriend, and sending emails on his in-dash computer. Mitchell pleaded guilty in criminal court to reckless driving and reckless homicide. He was given 30 months probation.

The civil case went to the Court of Claims and not an Illinois wrongful death jury because the state has sovereign immunity from lawsuits. This is important to note, because many injury victims might balk at filing a claim against the state for fear that they are wasting their time. It is important that you explore your legal options because there still may be a way for you to obtain your financial recovery.

Court of Claims Judge Peter J. Birnbaum concluded that Mitchell caused the girls’ deaths, breached his duty of reasonable care, and drove his police vehicle in a way that endangered others. Out of the $8 million award, the girls’ mom, Kimberly Schlau will receive $3.5 million for the loss of her daughters. Their father, Brian Uhl, will also receive $3.5 million. Their half siblings, Madelyn Dorsey and Anthony Uhl will each get $500,000. The award must pass through the Senate and House before the governor can sign it and send to the state comptroller.

Chicago Car Accidents Involving Police Vehicles
Even when a police officer is heading to an accident or crime scene, he/she must still drive safely and responsibly so as to not cause a Chicago car accident. Distracted driving, speeding, texting while driving, talking on the cell phone, drugged driving, and drunken driving are some of the careless acts that can cause tragic auto collisions.

Mitchell, who is no longer with the Illinois State Police, has filed a workers’ compensation claim for the injuries he sustained in the traffic crash that killed the Uhl sisters.

Family Gets $8 Million in Fatal Trooper Crash, CBS St. Louis Local, January 19, 2011

Family of Collinsville sisters killed in crash receives $8 million from state, BND, January 19, 2011

Ex-State Trooper Convicted of Motor Vehicle Deaths of Uhl Sisters Seeks Illinois Workers’ Compensation Benefits for His Injuries from the Crash, Chicago Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog, September 22, 2010

Illinois Car Accident Lawsuit: Uhl Family Seeks $46 Million for Wrongful Death of Daughters From Police Pursuit, Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Blog, May 7, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Court of Claims, CyberDriveIllinois

Illinois State Police

Two teens sustained injuries on Wednesday when they were hit in a Chicago pedestrian by a car that had driven onto the sidewalk where they were standing. The vehicle then proceeded to crash into a restaurant.

The 15-year-old girl who was struck broke her ankle while the 16-year-old girl sustained minor injuries. Also injured in the Chicago car crash was 61-year-old George Corso, who was driving the car that hit the two teens. Corso has been ticketed for negligent driving.

In other recent Cook County traffic crash news, a 70-year-old man was killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident on December 27, 2010. At the time of the Chicago car accident, the victim, Raymond Veloz, was exchanging information with another motorist over another accident that had just happened. The driver of the third vehicle was cited for failing to avoid hitting a pedestrian. The two drivers who had been involved in separate collisions with Veloz said that the sun had temporarily made it difficult for them to see the road.

Just the day before, 25-year-old Angeline De Leon was killed when the car she was riding in struck a tree in Chicago’s Medical Village neighborhood. Also injured in the Chicago car accident were the driver, 23-year-old Brandon Reed, and a four-year-old boy. Reed, who was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, has since been charged with a misdemeanor DUI. He also received a ticket for driving on a revoked license. More charges may be pending.

Lane Tech students hit by car crossing street, Sun-Times, January 6, 2011

Driver in fatal crash charged with DUI, Chicago Tribune, December 29, 2010

Man killed in South Chicago crash, Chicago Breaking News, December 27, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDriveIllinois

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Injures Two Teenagers" »

According to Illinois police, snow, ice and rain are expected to created dangerous driving conditions in the Chicago area during the early part of the week. Meantime, the National Weather Service has said that bouts of heavy snowfall will make it “near impossible” for crews to keep up with the conditions. As of approximately 9:40 p.m. on Monday, police said there had already been about 30 Chicago car crashes on area highways.

Our Cook County car accident lawyers want to remind you that even though motorists have no control over the weather conditions, they are still required to drive safely to minimize the chances of a traffic crash. A driver who was careless or reckless—even if the road and weather conditions are poor—can still be held liable for Chicago personal injury or wrongful death.

Steps to Decrease the Chances of a Chicago Car Accident:
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and ready to drive in winter weather: Clean, working windshield wipers, properly inflated tires, and snow chains or winter tires can help to keep you and others safe.

• Fasten your seat belt and scrape snow and ice from your windows and mirrors before heading out.

• Don’t drive while distracted: Don’t make cell phone calls, text message, or surf the Internet on your PDA while operating your vehicle.

• Drive with your lights on so that other drivers can see you.

• Drive with both hands on the steering wheel and pay attention.

• Avoid stepping on the brakes too hard when you need to slow down or stop your car.

• Don’t speed. If possible, drive more slowly than usual to accommodate the road and weather conditions.

• Avoid using cruise control.

• Don’t drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or medication.

In the event that you are involved in a Chicago car crash this holiday season that you believe was caused by another party’s negligence, contact our Chicago motor vehicle accident law firm today.

Snow, freezing rain making roads treacherous, Chicago Sun-TImes, December 20, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Safe Winter Driving Tips from Bridgestone Tires, Road and Travel Magazine

Safe Winter Driving, Road Trip America

Chicago Weather Center

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Risks Rise When There is Snow and Ice on the Road" »

According to officials, the medical conditions of brothers Calvin Jackson Jr., 3, and Clarence Jackson, 2, have been upgraded from serious to stable. The two toddlers were flown to a Park Ridge hospital after the 1995 Jeep Cherokee that they were riding in was involved in a catastrophic Lake County, Illinois car accident with another vehicle on Monday. Police say that the driver of the other vehicle, Adeliata Espinoza, may have run a red light.

The boys were reportedly not in child safety seats at the time of the Lake County, Illinois auto accident and they were thrown from the vehicle. Their dad, Calvin Jackson, Sr., was in the car with the boys and not wearing a seat belt. The 26-year-old East Chicago resident died from massive head injuries.

Also injured in the traffic collision were 18-year-old Houston Neil, who was driving the vehicle that the Jacksons were in, and 17-year-old Laquaysha Johnson. Both of their medical conditions have been updated to stable. Espinoza, 46, and her 2-year-old daughter were treated at the Lake County accident site.

In other recent Illinois car accident news, a Cook County pedestrian accident claimed the life of Chicago resident Sonia Dorado early Sunday evening. The 61-year-old woman was pronounced dead at a Park Ridge hospital later that night.

Police have charged Des Plaines resident Robert Park with leaving the scene of a crash. The 56-year-old motorist also received a citation for driving on a suspended license. Police say that Park may have been suffering from a diabetic reaction at the time. Tests showed that he had no drugs or alcohol in his system.

Traffic Violations Can Cause Illinois Car Accidents
Traffic violations are not just against the law, they can cause serious accidents. Failure to stop at red light or stop sign, yield the right of way, stop at a pedestrian crossing, and other violations can prove fatal for those involved.

Tot brothers recovering from crash in Avon Township, Lake County News-Sun, December 14, 2010

Suspect charged in hit-and-run death of Chicago woman in Niles, PioneerLocal, December 14, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Cyber Drive Illinois

Illinois Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Toddlers Seriously Injured in Fatal Lake County Car Crash Upgraded to Stable Condition" »

If you are like most people, you’ve inevitably gotten in the driver’s seat while feeling exhausted. But did you know that some safety experts consider driving while drowsy to be as dangerous as driving while drunk? If you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago car accident because the other driver feel asleep at the wheel, you may have grounds for a Cook County injury case.

According to a recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, one in six fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver. Meantime, the National Highway Traffic Safety Foundation reports that drowsy driving causes 71,000 injuries, 1,1500 deaths, and over 100,000 auto accidents annually.

Also, per the study:
• Drivers under the age of 25 are almost twice as likely as drivers in the age 40 to 59 group to be involved in a drowsy driving accident.
• In approximately 57% of drowsy driving accidents, the driver’s vehicle ended up off the road or in other lanes.
• Over 55% of drivers who admitted to falling asleep at the wheel said this happened on a high-speed divided highway.
• Over 59% of drivers who said they’ve fallen asleep while operating a vehicle in the last year said they had only been driving for less than an hour when it happened.
• Over one in four drivers who fell asleep while driving said they did so during the day between the hours of noon and 5pm.

Drowsy driving can lead to problems focusing, driver inattention, short-term memory lapses, lane driving, swerving, tailgating, missed traffic signs and exits, aggressiveness, vision impairment, slowed reaction times, and a delayed ability to process information. Sound familiar? That is because symptoms and effects of drowsiness are similar to those of being drunk.

It takes just a few seconds for a deadly Chicago car accident to happen. This means that shutting one's eyes for just a few seconds of rest could prove fatal. Many drowsy drivers fall asleep and don’t even realize it.

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® Highlights Prevalent and Preventable Accidents, National Sleep Foundation

Related Web Resources:
Drowsy Driving

Drowsy Driving, NHTSA

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Continue reading "A Chicago Car Accident Caused by a Drowsy Driver Can Be Grounds for Cook County Personal Injury Case" »

A 48-year-old Chicago woman sustained fatal injuries after she was struck by an SUV that slammed through the wall of her first floor apartment early Saturday. Josefina Prospero was pronounced dead at the Will County, Illinois car crash site.

Prospero and her significant other, Juan Nocolas Bernal, had been sleeping in the bed when the vehicle crashed into their bedroom. Bernal sustained minor injuries.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the driver of the SUV, 17-year-old Luis V. Benito, has been charged with four counts of aggravated driving under the influence. WGNTV says that Benito is also charged with one count of reckless homicide. He and his passenger reportedly tried to flee the Will County, Illinois traffic crash site but were apprehended by police.

At the time of the Bolingbrook accident, Benito’s blood-alcohol level was .204. This is over two times the legal limit. Assistant Will County State's Attorney Debbie Mill says that prior to the motor vehicle crash, Benito, who was in the parking club of a Rancho Santa Fe nightclub, allegedly drove his vehicle at a nightclub bouncer, who had flashed a light at him. The bouncer was able to get out of the way.

Teens and Drunk Driving
Driving while drunk is dangerous for any driver. Teens, however, with their lack of driving experience, ability to get easily distracted, and inability fully grasp their lack of invincibility, can be especially dangerous on the road when under the influence. Over 3,000 teens are killed in drunk driving crashes each year. This doesn’t even account for the children and adults that end up dying because they were involved in a car crash involving a drunk teen driver.

Drunk driving is negligent driving and can be grounds for a Will County, Illinois car accident lawsuit if someone gets hurt or dies.

Prosecutor: Teen in fatal crash nearly ran over nightclub bouncer, Chicago Tribune, November 15, 2010

Teen Driver Charged with Homicide in Bolingbrook Accident, WGNTV, November 14, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Teen Drivers, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CyberDrive, Illinois

Alcohol, Drinking and Driving

Nearly eight months after Katrina Jackson was killed in a Chicago car crash on the south side, her family is suing the driver, Yvonne Kemp, for Cook County wrongful death. The single-car accident occurred on Interstate 57 close to 99th Street.

Illinois State Police Say that Kemp was driving fast, did not keep a proper lookout, failed to stop to avoid a collision, and was driving while under the influence of alcohol when the Ford Escort struck a light pole. Kemp’s daughter, who was also in the vehicle, was ejected from the car before landing on the grass. Fortunately, the 9-year-old girl did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

Drunk Driving
A drunk driver's can be impaired to the point that he/she actually believes that it is possible to drive safely while under the influence. However, the death toll that has resulted from driving while under the influence, is evidence to the contrary. The damage to the lives of those injured and killed, as well as to the driver, who must spend a lifetime filled with remorse (and possibly years behind bars) cannot be quantified. Unfortunately, drunk driving crashes continues to occur on a daily basis.

Just this weekend, a woman was killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident when she was struck by a man who was allegedly drunk. The victim’s name is Yasha Hicks, 35.

The Chicago traffic accident occurred at around 2:42 am on Saturday. The driver, Jeremiah Thompson, 36, faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated DUI accident causing death, failure to reduce speed, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood-alcohol level of at least .08%, failure to stay within a lane, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and not yielding to a pedestrian.

Autopsy results show that Hicks died of multiple injuries from being accidentally struck during a Chicago pedestrian accident.

Man charged with DUI in woman's death, ABCLocal, November 8, 2010

Lawsuit filed in fatal I-57 crash, Southtown Star, November 4, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Impaired Driving, US Department of Transportation

CyberDrive Illinois

Chicago Injury Attorney Blog

Malman Law Injury Blog

In Illinois, a brother of State Sen. Antonio Munoz, D-Chicago, suffered head trauma, lacerations, and broke his right leg after he was struck by a speeding car this morning. Martin Munoz, 40, was walking outside a Southwest Side polling site when the Chicago car accident happened. The driver whose vehicle struck him then fled the accident site. Police later brought in a suspect for questioning about the hit-and-run accident. Munoz, who was thrown 15 to 20 feet, had to undergo surgery for his broken leg that needed a rod and screws.

Chicago Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries for victims, who have no protection to pad them from the impact of colliding with a moving vehicle. Often, pedestrians are hurt not just when getting hit by an auto but also there are the injuries that can occur from the impact of landing back on the road and/or getting hit by other vehicles that may not be able to stop in time. Broken bones, internal injuries, head injuries, neck injuries, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and death can occur during a Chicago pedestrian accident.

Just this Saturday, Robert H. Vreeland was killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident when he was struck by a bus on the Dan Ryan Expressway at around 2am. Police say that the 24-year-old either jumped or fell out of his vehicle. Although his death, from multiple injuries, has been ruled a suicide, Vreeland’s family maintains that he would never have killed himself and that key facts pertaining to what happened are missing.

State senator's brother injured in hit-run outside polling site, Chicago Breaking News, November 2, 2010

Pedestrian hit, killed by bus on Dan Ryan, Chicago Breaking News, October 31, 2010

State Police: Man exits vehicle on Dan Ryan, fatally struck by bus, Sun-Times, October 31, 2010

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Injures State Sen. Antonio Munoz’s Brother Outside Southwest Side Polling Place" »

A deadly Aurora, Illinois pedestrian accident has killed a 22-year-old Cicero woman. According to reports, Doreen L. Cardenas was standing outside her parked car on early Monday when a van first struck her car before hitting her and Pedro A. Navarro, the North Aurora man who was with her.

The van’s driver, 30-year-old Lee Roy Patters, fled the Illinois traffic crash site, and it was a bystander who discovered the two injured pedestrians.

Patters eventually turned himself in to police. He has now been charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid the accident, leaving the scene where a person was injured, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving death.

In other Illinois accident news, a woman sustained serious injuries when she was impaled by a tree limb that came crashing through her vehicle’s windshield. The Lake County, Illinois traffic crash occurred in Lindenhurst in Tuesday when the branch fell 70 feet.

The victim, Lake Villa teacher Helen Miller, suffered injuries to her abdomen. While the tree limb had punctured muscle and fat, if fortunately missed her stomach and lung.

With the weather getting colder and winds more than likely to pick up, property owners must make sure that their trees are in good health and that they do not pose an injury risk to pedestrians or motor vehicle occupants. Failure to remove or remedy a hazard on a premise can be grounds for a Chicago injury case.

Chicago Car Accidents
Our Chicago, Illinois car accident law firm wants to remind you that if you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic crash, it is a very good idea to start exploring your legal options right away. Dealing with such issues may likely be the last thing on your mind as you cope with your injuries or the loss of your loved one and all the ramifications that such events can have on one’s life.

Man charged in fatal North Aurora hit-run, Chicago Breaking News, October 25, 2010

Woman Impaled by Wind-Blown Branch, NBC Chicago, October 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Department of Transportation

Car Accidents, Justia

Continue reading "Aurora, Illinois Car Accident Injures One Pedestrian While Killing Another" »

18-year-old Brian Dewitt is dead following a Chicago car accident with an Evergreen Park police car. According to police, Dewitt was driving his car in the West Morgan Park neighborhood on Tuesday night when his vehicle collided with a police car pursuing a speeding driver. Dewitt’s friend Matthew Brew was a passenger in his car. He was hospitalized with injuries.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the traffic crash. Investigators are trying to determine whether the cop had activated his siren and light or if Dewitt ran a red light.

If the authorities discover that the Evergreen Park police officer failed to activate his siren or lights or behaved carelessly or recklessly while chasing the other car, Dewitt’s family may have grounds for a Chicago wrongful death case.

Police officers are expected to follow protocol and procedures when chasing a suspect in their vehicle. This includes making sure that they have done everything possible to warn other vehicles and pedestrians that they are engaged in a police chase and that they are not driving at a speed that endangers the suspect or innocent bystanders.

Earlier last month, an Illinois state trooper crashed his police car into a vehicle while pursuing another auto over an alleged traffic violation. Trooper John W. Ritchie has said that he waited too long to step on the brakes while turning into a curve. Injured in the Illinois car accident were the 24-year-old Kyle J. Stover, who is the driver of the vehicle that Ritchie struck, and his passenger Samantha Welch.

"Sweet Kid" Killed in Collision With Squad Car, NBC Chicago, October 7, 2010

1 dead, 1 hurt in crash involving Evergreen Park squad car, Chicago Breaking News, October 6, 2010

State police cruiser in crash during pursuit, PJ Star, September 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Deaths lead police to question high-speed chase policies, USA Today, April 23, 2010

Police Pursuits, Chicago Car Accident Attorney, September 16, 2010

Continue reading "Teen Killed in Chicago Car Accident Involving Police Pursuit" »

A bicyclist was injured on Tuesday night when he was involved in a Chicago car accident in the Hamilton Park neighborhood. The rider was taken to an Oak Lawn hospital. Police are investigating the Chicago traffic crash.

Meantime, students are mourning the loss of a 10-year-old boy injured in another Illinois bicycle accident. Bryan Baker died from injuries he sustained when he was hit by a pickup truck on Wednesday night. Baker was a fifth-grader at Washington Elementary School in Pontiac.

The bicycle accident took place on Illinois 116. The cause of the collision is under investigation.

Baker’s death comes less than two weeks after a 55-year-old Gibson City Woman was also killed in an Illinois bicycle accident in Ford County. Jeanne C. DeWall, who was hit by a 2005 Buick LeSabre, was pronounced dead at the crash site. The driver of the car, 73-year-old Paxton resident Robert W. Watson, says he did not see Baker and could not avoid striking DeWall, who was delivering newspapers for the News-Gazette at the time. No tickets have been issued.

Chicago Bicycle Accidents
If you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago bicycle accident, an experienced Chicago injury law firm can help you determine whether you have grounds for a case. While a bicyclist can be at fault for causing the traffic crash, there have been many accidents that could have been avoided if only the vehicle driver or another party hadn’t been negligent.

Ways That Drivers Can Avoid Causing Bicycle Accidents:
• Watch out for bicyclists
• Don’t speed
• Adjust your driving to the road and weather conditions
• Don’t talk on the cell phone or text while driving
• Be extra careful when driving in areas where there are schools
• Don’t drive drunk
• Obey traffic signs and traffic laws
• Pay attention when driving

Bicyclist critical after Hamilton Park car crash, ABC Local, September 29, 2010

Students mourn loss of 10-year-old Pontiac boy, Pantagraph.com, September 30, 2010

Victim in fatal collision identified, News-Gazette, September 20, 2010

Related Web Resources:
BicycleSafe.com

Safe Bicycling in Illinois (PDF)

A multi-vehicle Chicago car crash on the Northwest Side has claimed the life of one woman while injuring two men. The traffic collision happened Thursday afternoon on West Devon Avenue close to a Cook County forest preserve.

According to police, a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by Jenny Muresan was headed eastbound when it went over the center line and hit two vehicles. Muresan, who was in her 20’s, was ejected from her car as it spun out of control. She died at the Chicago auto accident site. A fourth vehicle was also involved.

Two other car crash victims, both men in their 60’s, were taken to the hospital in serious-to-critical condition. As of Friday, one of the men had reportedly been released while the other man’s condition had stabilized.

According to CBS2Chicago, there are some who say that the stretch of road where this Chicago car accident happened is a dangerous one. It has no stoplights and drivers have a tendency to go fast even though it is not a highway. Considered a shortcut to O’Hare Airport, thousands travel through West Devon Avenue on a daily basis. Barnet Fagel of the National Motorists Association says that the “curvature of road” and “abundance of tree growth” makes it hard for motorists to see too far down the street.

There may be more than one party who should be held liable for your Chicago car accident. A reckless driver, a negligent automaker, or the city, county, transportation department or another entity that contributed to causing your Cook County car accident may owe you and your family Chicago injury recovery.

Fatal Accident Occurred On Dangerous Roadway, CBS2Chicago, September 24, 2010

1 dead, 2 hurt in fiery Northwest Side crash, Chicago Breaking News, September 24, 2010

A Berwyn man is in the hospital with after he was hit by a car on Monday. David Paraiso, 52, was crossing the street when the Cook County pedestrian accident happened. Paraiso broke his shin, fractured his collarbone, and sustained scalp injuries.

According to police, the driver of the vehicle that struck Paraiso, 20-year-old Margaret Mary Vivanco, was distracted driving at the time. Witnesses say that she was talking on a cell phone when she ran a red light, struck a car, and then hit Paraiso. Vivanco is charged with aggravated reckless driving.

2009 US Distracted Driving Accident Facts (NHTSA):
• 5,474 distracted driving accident-related deaths.
• Cell phones were a factor in 995 of the fatalities.
• 448,000 injuries.
• Cell phone use was a factor in 24,000 of the injuries.
• The 20 and under age group has the greatest proportion of distracted drivers.
• Of the motorists involved in deadly distracted driving crashes, drivers in their 30’s belonged to the group most likely to have been using cell phones.

Cell phone use and texting are two of the most deadly forms of distracted driving activities. Unfortunately, many people continue to text and talk on handheld cellular phones while driving, which increases their chances of being involved in a car crash and causing injuries or deaths.

This week, the US Department of Transportation kicked off its 2nd Distracted Driving Summit, where safety officials, law enforcement, lawmakers, victims, and others gathered to figure out how to defeat the problem, which US Transportation Ray LaHood Is now calling an epidemic.

Distracted drivers never intend to cause harm to anyone when reading, talking on the phone, surfing the Internet, shaving, eating, or engaging in any other act that takes their focus away from driving. However, lives are lost and people are hurt on a regular basis because of distracted driving.

Driver on cell phone hit Berwyn pedestrian, police say, Chicago Tribune, September 23, 2010

Distracted Driving, 2009, Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, Distraction.gov

CyberDriveIllinois

Continue reading "Cook County Cell Phone Accident Causes Serious Injuries to Berwyn Pedestrian" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Highlights of 2009 Motor Vehicle Crashes Research Note is out, and our Chicago car accident lawyers are happy to report that the number of Illinois traffic deaths dropped last year. While there were 1,043 Illinois motor vehicle fatalities in 2008, 911 Illinois traffic deaths occured in 2009. 319 of those fatalities were alcohol-related.

The decline in highway deaths was also reflected nationally. There were 33,808 US motor vehicle traffic crash deaths last year—the lowest number of fatalities in 60 years. Consider that there were 37,423 traffic deaths in 2008. That’s a 9.7% drop. Even the number of US motorcyclist fatalities, which has been going up for the last 11 years, finally saw a decline. There were 4,462 motorcycle crash deaths last year, down from 5,312 fatalities in 2008.

While any decline in traffic deaths is always progress made in saving lives, there are always more lives that can and should be saved. There also continue to be thousands nationally and hundreds throughout the state that must contend with catastrophic injuries, costly medical expenses, the loss of a loved one, and other damages. Our Chicago car crash law firm would be happy to evaluate whether you have a case for Cook County personal injury or wrongful death.

More 2009 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts:
• 503 large truck fatalities
• 4,092 pedestrian deaths
• 630 pedalcyclist fatalities
• 2,217,000 traffic accident injuries
• 10,839 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities

Highlights of 2009 Motor Vehicle Crashes, NHTSA (PDF)

U.S. Traffic Deaths at Lowest Level Since 1950, NHTSA, September 9, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Department of Transportation

CyberDrive Illinois

According to myFoxChicago.com, numerous Chicago motor vehicle injuries and deaths occurred over the Labor Day weekend, including:

• On Saturday, a Chicago motorcycle accident claimed the life of Lyons resident Lissette Loncola, who was a passenger on the bike. Several other people were injured.

• Also on Saturday, a three-vehicle Chicago car accident on the Northwest Side injured at least eight people. Oscar Reyes was cited for negligent driving, leaving an accident scene, failure to report the auto crash, and neglecting to stay in the lane.

• A Chicago pedestrian accident sent four people, including an 11-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy, and a 12-year-old girl to the hospital after they were struck by a stolen 1999 Chrysler 300. The people riding in the car fled the crash site.

• 67-year-old Lual Mang died from injuries she sustained during a Glendale Heights car accident on Sunday.

• Also on Sunday, a Rogers Park bicycle accident involving a Mini Cooper claimed the life of 67-year-old man.

• A fiery Englewood car crash on Sunday claimed the life of one female motorist, whose vehicle hit a curb or a viaduct wall before hitting another auto and bursting into flames. The driver died at the Chicago car accident site.

• Five people, including at least three teens, were hospitalized after an SUV rollover crash on Lake Shore Drive. Speed was a likely factor.

• A multi-vehicle Chicago car crash at West Belmont Avenue and North Pulaski Road left at least three people with critical injuries.

• On Monday night, a Des Plaines bicycle accident claimed a 52-year-old cyclist’s life after his bike collided with a vehicle in the curb lane.

• A man was flown to the hospital after he was injured in a head-on Chicago car accident close to Fox Lake last night.

Holiday Weekend Crashes Kill 6, Injure Dozens More, myFoxChicago, September 7, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Traffic Accidents, Nolo

Car Accidents, Justia

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accidents Injures Kills Six People and Injures at Least Two Dozen Others Over Labor Day Weekend" »

According to Allstate Insurance’s 2010 “Best Driver Report,” Chicago ranks at 167 out of the 200 on this year’s list of safe driving cities. This means that Chicago is an easy place to get into a Chicago car accident. On average, Chicago drivers are involved in one collision every seven and a half years. Last year, Chicago was ranked number 170.

It is probably a good move then that local law enforcement officers will take part in a statewide and nationwide campaign to crack down on drunk drivers, safety belt law violators, and other reckless motorists. The traffic safety campaign, called You Drink & Drive. You Lose. is running now until the end of Labor Day.

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety says that late nights are when fatal drunk driving crashes are most likely to happen. This is also when less people are using seat belts or child safety seats. Last year in Illinois, 795 of the motor vehicle fatalities that occurred between midnight and 3am involved an inebriated motorist. Only 25% of those that died were properly restrained.

That said, failure to use a safety belt and drunk driving are not the only reasons that Chicago auto crashes happen. Collisions also occur because of speeding, failure to obey traffic laws, distracted driving, drugged driving, auto defects, road defects, and other causes.

While it is always good news when law enforcement and government officials step in to try and prevent motor vehicle crashes, it is still up to drivers to operate their vehicles safely. If you or your loved one was injured in a Chicago auto accident, our Chicago, Illinois car accident law firm would be happy to offer you a free case evaluation.

Chicago listed as easy place for car accidents, Chicago Sun-TImes, September 2, 2010

Illinois Law Enforcement Increase Number of Late-Night Patrols Against Impaired Driving and Safety Belt Violators Over Labor Day Weekend, Illinois State Police, September 2, 2010

Sixth Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report™" Reveals New Safest Driving City, Allstate, September 2, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Transportation Accidents, Chicago Tribune

Chicago car crashes resulting in injuries and deaths are tragic for everyone involved. Not only are the lives of the ones that are seriously hurt or the family members of those killed irrevocably altered, but also the motorist that caused the Cook County auto collision will have to live with the consequences of his/her actions forever. The driver may also become the defendant of a Chicago injury or wrongful death lawsuit and/or land in jail.

This week, Michael Penachio was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to reckless homicide in the 2007 drunken driving death that claimed the life of 22-year-old Danielle Baker. The LaGrange man has already settled the Chicago wrongful death lawsuit filed by Baker’s family. $54,000 will go toward the tuition fund of Baker’s daughter, who is now 4.

The deadly Chicago auto accident occurred on March 6, 2007 on the Eisenhower Expressway when Penachio's Mercedes-Benz sedan, moving at a speed of about 100 mph, rear-ended Baker’s vehicle. Her gas tank ruptured and the car burst into flames. Baker died instantly, causing her body to burn beyond recognition. Meantime, Penachio had been driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.191, which was over twice the legal limit.

In an unrelated auto collision, on August 27 an Illinois judge sentenced Sandra Vasquez to 15 years in prison for a fatal car crash that killed five teens in 2007. Vasquez was driving eight teens home from an underage drinking party when she crashed her car into a light pole. While she has admitted to drinking four alcoholic beverages that night, Vasquez maintains that was not driving drunk.

Chicago Car Accident Victims
If you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago, Illinois car accident, it is important that you explore your legal options immediately.

5 years for La Grange man in fatal DUI, Chicago Tribune, September 1, 2010

15 years for woman in DUI crash that killed 5 teens, Chicago Breaking News, August 27, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDriveIllinois

Illinois State Police

Continue reading "Causing Chicago Car Accidents Can Lead to Cook County Injury Lawsuit and Criminal Convictions for Negligent Drivers" »

According to a 2008 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey, at least 1 in 12 drivers surveyed say they drive drunk at least once year. 1 in 5 admitted that when they drove under the influence they did so within 2 hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage. This, despite the fact that 4 out of 5 of the 6,999 motorists surveyed consider driving drunk to be a serious threat to safety. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says it is clear that more needs to be done so that people that know drunk driving is dangerous will stop doing it.

According to the US Department of Transportation, 1/3rd of all deadly US auto accidents involve a drunk driver. The auto death rate could be cut significantly if people stopped driving drunk.

The NHTSA survey found that about 17.2 million Americans have gotten behind the steering wheel of a vehicle even though they suspected that their BAC was over the legal limit. 8% of people have gotten in a car driven by someone that they suspected was drunk. 40% believe that they can drive after having 3 drinks. 11% think that they can still drive after 5 drinks.

It goes without saying that if you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago car accident involving a drunk driver that you believe caused the crash, there is a good chance you may have grounds for a Chicago injury case against him/her. Most drivers never intend to hurt anyone when driving under the influence, but unfortunately, injuries and deaths happen.

Just recently, one adult was injured and the allegedly drunken driver’s son, age 4, was killed in a Chicago car crash that occurred on August 15 at Fullerton and Kostner. Police say that Letecia Medel, 24, had a blood alcohol level of .151 when her vehicle did not stop at a red light and rear-ended a Honda Civic that was stopped. Her vehicle then drove into the next lane where it hit a Chevrolet Tahoe. The impact from the traffic collision also caused the Honda to strike another vehicle before it ended up against a building.

Medina, Jonathan, her 2-year-old son, and her husband fled the Cook County car accident site. At the hospital, Jonathan, who was suffering from a lacerated liver and numerous contusions, was pronounced dead.

Woman charged in DUI crash that killed 4-year-old, Pioneer Local, August 23, 2010

Government study: 1 in 12 drivers admit driving drunk, USA Today, August 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
DUI Fact Book, Cyber Drive Illinois (PDF)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

According to an AAA survey, two-thirds of dog owners say that it isn’t uncommon for them to pet, feed, or play with their dogs while driving. This behavior can end up falling under the category of distracted driving if it prevents a driver from paying attention to the road. After all, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that a mere two seconds with a driver’s eyes off the road can double his/her car crash risk.

Among those polled:
• 55% say they have pet their dog while driving
• 21% have driven with their dog on the lap
• 7% have given a dog food and water while weaving through traffic
• 5% have played with the pet while driving
• Only 17% use a pet-restraint system

Our Chicago car accident lawyers want to remind you that now more than ever, distracted driving can be considered negligent driving—especially if someone gets hurt or dies as a result. A few other examples of distracted driving include, texting while driving, reading while driving, and surfing the Internet.

Even if you aren’t playing with or petting your dog while operating your vehicle, it is still important that your pet is properly restrained. An unrestrained dog can be a force to be reckoned with in a vehicle. If its body gets flung around during a Chicago car accident, vehicle occupants are at risk of injury from the force of impact. You definitely don’t want your dog sitting on your lap if the air bag in front of you deploys.

Study: Driving under influence of pets a danger, Vancouver Sun, August 18, 2010

Dogs rule but not in the car, survey says, Daily Herald, August 22, 2010

Related Web Resources:
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Distracted Driving, NHTSA

Continue reading "Doggie Distractions Can Cause Chicago Car Accidents" »

Selean Turner Brack and Kenyatta Brack Sr. are seeking at least $50,000 in Illinois wrongful death recovery from Cook County and the Village of Dolton. Their son, 16-year-old Kenyatta Brack Jr. was killed on Sunday in a Dolton bicycle accident when he a speeding motorist that was fleeing from police hit him. The driver was going at speeds of about 70 mph at the time. He did not stop at the crash site.

According to the Brack’s Cook County wrongful death lawsuit, police violated police practices when they took part in a high-speed police chase even though no violent crime had been committed, the vehicle pursuit was taking place in a suburban residential area, and office superiors had not been notified.

The officers involved in the police pursuit claim that they never drove faster than 35 mph while following the suspect and were two blocks away when the Dolton car crash fatally injured the teenaged victim. A friend who was cycling with Kenyatta, however, claims that the police cars were driving fast and following closely behind the other vehicle.

The Brack family is calling for the hit-and-run driver to come forward.

Cook County Car Accidents
There may be more than one party who should be held liable for your Cook County car crash injuries. We know how devastating it is to lose someone you love because other people were reckless or careless or negligent. Taking care of legal issues is not something you likely want to be thinking about so soon after your loss. However, the sooner your explore your legal options, the better you will increase the chances of getting the maximum Chicago car accident compensation from the responsible parties.

Father of Dolton teen killed in hit-and-run questions police account, Chicago Tribune, August 16, 2010

Lawsuit: Cops triggered hit-run crash that killed teen in Dolton, Sun-Times, August 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
The Village of Dolton

Chases by police yield high fatalities, USA Today, April 23, 2010

Nearly eight months after a driver in a car fleeing police allegedly struck his wife and son during a Rogers Park pedestrian accident, Felix Worthon is suing motorist Ralph Eubanks for Chicago wrongful death. Worthon, his 48-year-old wife Maria, and their 6-year-old son Jeremia were crossing a narrow street at the time. Maria, whose body was thrown some 100 feet after she was struck, died at the Rogers Park car crash site. Jeremia sustained critical injuries.

According to Cook County prosecutors, Ralph Eubanks, the driver of the 1998 Grand Prix that struck Maria and Jeremia, was fleeing police and allegedly driving at about 70 to 80 mph. He did not slow down or stop at the Rogers Park car accident site.

Eubanks was apprehended with traces of ecstasy, cocaine, and marijuana in his blood. He is charged with aggravated driving under the influence, first-degree murder, and leaving the scene of a deadly car accident site. At his bond hearing after the deadly Rogers Park traffic crash, prosecutors said that Eubanks has never had a driver’s license. He also has three prior convictions for driving without one and has spent time behind bars for drugs, weapons, and possession of a stolen vehicle-related convictions.

Worthon is also suing the owner of the vehicle, Dennis Jeter. Worthon contends that Jeter gave his “explicit permission" for Eubanks to use the vehicle.

Drunk driving and drugged driving are negligent acts that claim the lives of many people each year. Do NOT speak with the other party’s insurer about your Chicago car accident case without exploring your legal options first.

Suit filed against driver, car owner in fatal crash, Chicago Breaking News, August 9, 2010

No Bond For Driver Held On Hit-Run Murder Charge, CBS2, December 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Drugged Driving, NIDA

Impaired Driving, CDC

The Diamonds Gentlemen's Club, a West Chicago strip club, has settled the Kane County, Illinois wrongful death lawsuit filed by the families of April Simmons, 27, and John Chiariello, 25, for $1 million. Simmons, who was pregnant at the time, and Chiariello died from injuries they sustained in January 2006 when they were involved in a South Elgin car crash with John Homatas. Chiariello was a passenger in Homatas’s vehicle. Also killed in the Illinois car accident was Simmon’s unborn baby.

According to the Illinois wrongful death lawsuit, Chiariello and Homatas were thrown out of the strip club after getting drunk. The club’s employees put Homatas in the car and he and Chiariello drove off. Some 15 minutes later, Homatas crashed his vehicle head-on into Simmons’ SUV.

Although the club had initially argued that it shouldn’t be held liable for Homatas’ actions since it doesn’t serve alcohol (it has a bring your own liquor policy), earlier this year the Illinois Supreme Court said that the strip club was at least somewhat accountable for the Kane County car crash.

From the $1 million settlement, which is the most that the club’s insurance allows, $800,000 will go to Simmons’s family. The remaining $200,000 will go to Chiariello’s family. Homatas, who is serving a 12-year prison term for his convictions for reckless homicide and aggravated DUI, settled the South Elgin wrongful death case against him for $200,000, which is also the maximum allowed under his insurance policy.

There may be more than one party who should be held liable for your Chicago car accident injuries.

West Chicago strip club settles DUI suit for $1 million, Chicago Tribune, August 12, 2010

Families Can Sue West Chicago Strip Club for Fatal Illinois Car Crash, ChicagoCarAccidentAttorneysBlog, March 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:

Illinois Supreme Court Ruling (PDF)

CyberDriveIllinois

A head-on Lake County, Illinois car crash in Antioch early Thursday has killed one person while seriously injuring three others. Police say that alcohol and speed were a factor.

The compact car and sport utility vehicle collided at about 1:45am. The two vehicles were coming from opposite directions when they struck each other on Grass Lake Road. The SUV rolled over multiple times.

The woman that died, 22-year-old Danielle Trevithick, was riding alone in the car. She had to be extricated from her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the Antioch, Illinois car accident site.

Two of the SUV’s passengers, a man and a woman, also had to be extricated from their vehicle. The SUV’s driver was ejected from the auto during the crash. All three of them were flown to the hospital with critical injuries from blunt force trauma.

Police are trying to confirm the cause of the catastrophic Lake County car accident. Evidence of alcohol was found at the crash site.

Speed and alcohol are each alone known to cause devastating Chicago car crashes. Combine them with one another and the chance of fatality goes up dramatically. Both make it hard for a driver to maintain control of a vehicle—especially when confronted with an emergency situation. Thousands of people are killed each year because someone was driving drunk and/or speeding. Often, drunk drivers don’t even realize that they were speeding because their sense of perception is so impaired that it is difficult from them to accurately assess their physical space.

1 Dead, 3 Critical in Antioch Crash; Alcohol, Speed Suspected, MyFoxChicago, August 12, 2010

Alcohol, high speed possible factors in Antioch Township crash, Chicago Breaking News, August 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Speeding, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Influenced Driving, Illinois State Police

Continue reading "Lake County Car Accident in Antioch, Illinois Kills Woman And Leaves 3 in Critical Condition" »

Despite government efforts to educate the public that distracted driving is dangerous, almost 9 out of 10 teen motorists continue to multi-task while operating a motor vehicle. Seventeen magazine and AAA recently issued findings from a new survey of 1,999 teens in the 16 to 19 age group:

• 84% of them know that distracted driving increase their car crash risk
• 86% continue to drive while distracted, engaging in behavior such as eating, fiddling with the radio, putting on making, talking on the cell phone, and text messaging.
• Over 1/3 of participants admitted that they’ve almost been involved in car accidents because of distracted driving.
• Texting teen drivers send about 23 text messages each month.
• The highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in deadly motor vehicle collisions belong to the under 20 age group.

Considering that traffic accidents are already the number one cause of teen driver deaths, the fact that many teen motorists continue to text and engage in other distracted driving habits while operating a motor vehicle is bad news. Our Chicago car accident lawyers has seen the kinds of catastrophic crashes that can occur because someone was distracted while driving. We understand how devastating it can be to know that your life has been irrevocably altered because another motorist was busy multitasking and failed to see you in your vehicle.

According to the NHTSA, distracted drivers have a four times grater risk of becoming involved in a traffic crash than drivers who aren’t distracted. Texting increases a motorist’s crash risk by over 20 times.

Meantime, the federal government continues its quest to make people comprehend the dangers of distracted driving. Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the date for this year’s National Distracted Driving Summit. The event is scheduled to begin on September 21 and will involve transportation officials, law enforcement, safety advocates, researchers, industry representatives, and victims.

86 Percent of Teens have Driven While Distracted, According to AAA and Seventeen Magazine Survey, AAA, August 2, 2010

Teens, driving and texting are a bad mix, Los Angeles Times, August 2, 2010

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Second National Distracted Driving Summit, NHTSA, July 27, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, NHTSA

Teen Drivers, CDC

Continue reading "Nearly 90% of Teen Drivers Engage in Distracted Driving, Say AAA & Seventeen Magazine Survey" »

Three women are dead today following a Brighton Park car accident that caused the vehicle they were riding to burst into flames. The Chicago car crash occurred on the Southwest Side at around 12:30am when the auto hit a light pole and caught fire. There is a possibility that another car may have been pursuing the vehicle, and police are investigating the incident as a possible hit and run.

Neighbors reportedly rushed to the Cook County car collision site but failed in their attempts to pull out the victims because the flames and heat were too intense. One resident told WGN-TV that they could see the women “burning alive.”

The three ladies reportedly had gone out to celebrate one of their birthdays. According to neighbors, the women may have been drunk when they headed out. Two of them are mothers.

Car Fires
Car fires can cause catastrophic injuries. Burns can be extremely painful, disfiguring, and can even result in death. Some common causes of car fires include driver negligence, faulty or poor maintenance, and defective auto parts. Unfortunately, car fires are not uncommon.

According to AAA and the National Fire Protection Association, in 2004 there were 266,000 car fires, over 1300 car fire victims, and 520 resulting fatalities. NFPA said that every two minutes in the US, a car catches fire on a highway. AAA noted that more people are killed in car fires each year than in apartment fires.

With several flammable fluids under a car hood, it is no wonder that the risk of car fire injury is high. Not only is it important to check the vehicle regularly, but also motorists must drive safely because car fires have been known to ignite during a serious Illinois accident.

3 killed in fiery crash as rescuers watch in horror, Chicago Breaking News, July 30, 2010

New Warning to be Issued About Deadly Car Fires, ABC News, October 12, 2005

Related Web Resources:
Burns, National Institute of Health

CyberDriveIllinois

National Fire Protection Association

Continue reading "Fiery Chicago Car Accident Kills Three Women on Southwest Side" »

19-year-old Young J. Kim has pleaded guilty to texting while driving and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the Illinois cell phone accident that killed an 84-year-old Chicago pedestrian.

Perfecto Perez was crossing the street in downtown Urbana when he was fatally struck by Kim. At the time of the Illinois traffic accident, Perez was wearing dark clothing and not in a crosswalk.

Chicago Car Accidents
While it can be hard to resist the urge to text while driving at the very moment the text message appears in your Inbox, refraining from doing so can save lives. Motorists should not engage in distracted driving, which takes their eyes and attention off the road. Texting also requires that a driver take at least one if not both hands off the steering wheel—one to hold the PDA or phone and another to open the message/compose one—and this can make it hard for the motorist to respond appropriately or safely during an emergency situation. It also is illegal in Illinois to text while driving a motor vehicle.

Road and Travel Magazine offers suggestions on how you can avoid the temptations of talking on the phone and/or texting while driving, including:

• Pull of the road if you are going to text
• Use a hands-free cell phone
• If your conversation is emotionally charged or stressful, get off the phone until you’ve arrived at your destination

Teen pleads guilty in fatal accident involving texting, News-Gazette.com, July 23, 2010

Teach Teens Dangers of Texting While Driving, Road and Travel.com

Related Web Resources:
Cellphone laws, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Distracted Driving, National Safety Council

Continue reading "Champaign, Illinois Teenager Was Texting When He Fatally Struck Chicago Pedestrian with His Car" »

The 7-Eleven located at 33 E. Adams St. in the Loop became the scene of a Chicago car accident site on Tuesday night when a taxi drove into a store. The cab had just collided with another vehicle.

7 people were injured. Four of them had to be hospitalized. The Ford Crown Victoria cab is owned by Flash Cab.

According to police, at around 10:35, a Toyota Corolla on Wabash Street ran a red light at an intersection. The cab then collided into the driver’s side of the Corolla before going over the curb, striking a newsstand, and then driving into the 7-Eleven’s entrance.

While no one inside the convenience store got hurt, the taxi cab driver and the Corolla’s driver were taken to local hospitals and admitted in serious condition. Two others were taken to the hospital, including one man who may have been a pedestrian hit by flying debris from the crash. Three others who were injured during the Chicago traffic crash refused medical attention at the accident site.

The Corolla’s driver received citations for driving without insurance and ignoring a traffic signal. More citations may be pending against the Corolla driver and the taxi driver. Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the Chicago, Illinois auto accident.

Cab crashes into 7-Eleven, ABC7 News, July 21, 2010

7 hurt as cab crashes into Loop 7-Eleven, Chicago Sun-Times, July 21, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Flash Cab

What to do after a car accident, MSN

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Car Accident: Seven Injured as Taxi Crashes into 7-Eleven in the Loop" »

81-year-old Thomas Tinnes was killed on Sunday night in a DuPage County car accident close to Wheaton, Illinois. The West Chicago man was attempting to leave a golf course in his 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis and turning onto Butterfield Road when his vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by a 2004 Dodge Dakota truck.

Tinnes was pronounced dead early Monday at Central DuPage Hospital.The DuPage County traffic collision is under investigation.

In other Illinois car accident news, a 14-year-old boy is asking Maywood police to take another look at allegations accusing his brother of road rage in a deadly Cook County car accident. Christopher McConnell, 21, is accused of running a red light and killing himself and two other people. The two other victims, Nancy Tucki, 57, and Nicholas Randazzo, 36, are both from Chicago.

According to police, on the night of July 8, McConnell’s black Honda ran a stop light at Chicago and First Avenue, crashing into Randazzo’s Mercedes SUV. One witness, 18-year-old Christopher Scotland, says that that the catastrophic Maywood car accident happened because McConnell was suffering from road rage and chasing his vehicle. Scotland contends that the chase at times reached a speed of 80 mph. Tucki and Randazzo were not part of the alleged pursuit.

Our DuPage County car accident lawyers and Chicago injury attorneys know how confusing life can be immediately after a traffic crash that has resulted in injuries for you or the death of a loved one. That said, it is important that you get legal help immediately.

Wheaton car crash leaves West Chicago man dead, MySuburbanLife, July 12, 2010

Man's brother begs police to re-examine road rage crash, Chicago Sun-Times, July 11, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Safety on the Road, National Safety Council

Road Rage, Drivers.com

Continue reading "DuPage County Car Accident Kills West Chicago Man" »

Maurice Horton died early Sunday when the car he was a passenger in crashed while racing with another vehicle on the westbound Eisenhower Expressway. The Chicago car accident, which occurred near Oakley Boulevard, happened at around 2:40 am when one of the vehicles, a Chevrolet Impala, drove off the road, overturned, and struck a tree.

Horton, 28, was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at around 4am. The car driver, who was ejected from the auto was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Meantime, another passenger who was in the car sustained non-life-threatening injuries. No one in the car was using a seat belt. The other car that was involved in the Chicago car race fled the Cook County accident site.

Illegal Street Racing
Illegal street racing is a dangerous activity that has caused many deaths over the years. Drag racing on roads that are not designated for this type of activity endangers the lives not just of the participants but also of innocent bystanders and others that happen to be on the same roads where the racing is taking place.

Other reasons why many unnecessary Chicago car accidents happen:

• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Road rage
• Aggressive driving
• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Talking on a cell phone while driving
• Drugged driving
• Auto products liability
• Driver inexperience

Our Chicago car accident lawyers can help you consider your legal options. We know that dealing with the legalities of a Cook County motor vehicle crash claim is the last thing you want to do immediately after a catastrophic collision, but it is important to get the process rolling while evidence and witness accounts are still fresh.

Family: Ike street race victim steered clear of gang life, Chicago Breaking News, July 11, 2010

Drag racing accident on the Ike leaves 1 person dead, WGNTV, July 11, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Chicago 290, Eisenhower Expressway

llinois Accidents News, World News Report

Lilia Galvez is suing Bella Guller for the death of her unborn baby. In her Cook County car accident lawsuit, Galvez, who was pregnant at the time of the Niles, Illinois traffic crash on July 7, 2008, claims that she miscarried her baby when her car was struck in the by Guller, who was backing up her auto.

Galvez is seeking over $100,000 plus legal expenses from Guller.

Cook County, Illinois Car Accident Cases
It is important that you work with an experienced Chicago car accident law firm that knows how to pursue your recovery. While it can feel terribly confusing and overwhelming so soon after a traffic crash to take legal action, the sooner your legal team starts investigating the evidence and speaking to witnesses, the more you are strengthening your chances for a successful outcome.

Chicago car accident injuries can be extremely painful, life-altering, and costly, which is why it is important that your Cook County injury lawyers able to do everything possible to help you obtain the maximum recovery. There may be more than one party who should be held liable.

For example, in another Illinois car accident case, Giard L. Dion is suing 17 defendants for injuries he sustained during a drunk driving accident. He is asking for over $2 million.

On July 21, 2009, Dion was involved in an Illinois car accident with Michael P. Quirk who, according to Dion’s Illinois injury complaint, was driving his vehicle while drunk. Dion says that as a result of the drunken driving crash, he suffered permanent and severe injuries, experienced great anguish and pain, lost wages, incurred medical costs, and his ability to earn a certain income has been diminished.

Dion is suing the parties that allegedly either supplied Quirk with alcohol or let him drive while drunk. Defendants include Relmss Services, PT's, VGC Holdings, Platinum of Illinois, PT's Brooklyn, North County Grocer and Liquor, Michael Ocello, Sam Patel, Ola Dodolewa, Nitin Singh, Lucky Singh, Adodo, Shivam Enterprise, Shanta, Platinum of Illinois, and Salas Investments.

Lawsuit: Niles crash led to miscarriage, Pioneer Local, July 8, 2010

Jersey County man seeks $2 million in auto accident case, The Record, July 6, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDriveIllinois

Car Accidents Overview, Justia

Sandra Vasquez could be sentenced to up to 28 years in prison for her convictions of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI in the Illinois car crash deaths of five teens. Three other teens and Vasquez sustained serious injuries during the catastrophic collision on February 11, 2007.

Vasquez, a 26-year-old Aurora woman, drank some alcohol before going to pick up her younger sister who was at their aunt’s house where an underage drinking party was taking place. She ended up giving eight teenagers a ride.

Unfortunately, at around 2:20am Vasquez lost control of her vehicle, swerved off Illinois 31, and drove into a telephone pole.

According to experts, Vasquez had been driving her 2001 Infiniti Q30 at a speed of over 70 mph in a 45 mph zone. Prosecutors have accused her of being drunk and tests taken after the accident showed that her blood-alcohol level was .105, which is beyond the legal limit for driving. However, Vasquez's criminal defense lawyer questions the tests’ accuracy because her liver was damaged during the collision. Vasquez has said that she wasn’t drunk and that she crashed the car because a backseat passenger bumped her seat and another motorist may have cut her off.

Killed in the Illinois car accident were 17-year-old Matthew Frank, 14-year-old James McGee, 16-year-old Tiffany Urso, 14-year-old Katherine Merkel, and 15-year-old Jessica Nutoni. Teenagers Robert Larsen Jr., Joshua Dillon, and Arielle Rexford sustained traumatic injuries.

Drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, drugged driving, driving while disregarding traffic laws, texting while driving, and talking on the cell phone while operating a vehicle are just a few of the careless and reckless acts that can kill people and destroy their families' lives. Most drunk drivers never intended to hurt anyone.

You may be able to hold a negligent driver liable for Chicago car accident injuries.

Driver guilty in DUI crash that killed 5 teens, Chicago Sun-Times, July 1, 2010

Driver guilty in crash that killed 5 Oswego teens, Daily Herald, June 30, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Aurora Woman Found Guilty of Five Illinois Car Accident Deaths" »

Friends and family are mourning the deaths of two “best buddies” in a Cook County car accident. Veronica Rojas, who was celebrating her 18th birthday, and Natalie Stygar, 17, died early Monday when the Nissan Maxima that they were riding went off the road, hit a fire hydrant, and broadsided a tree. Rojas was the mother of a two-year-old boy.

The driver of the Nissan, Szymon Zawadzki, sustained non-threatening injuries and was also hospitalized. Another passenger, a 15-year-old girl, sustained critical injuries, while 18-year-old passenger in the front seat was treated at Evanston NorthShore hospital before being released. All of the vehicle occupants were from Chicago.

Meantime, Zawadzki, 20, is charged with two counts of aggravated DUI resulting in death, two counts of reckless homicide, one count of driving under the influence, one count of aggravated DUI resulting in great bodily injury, one count of improper lane usage, driving without insurance, and one count of failure to reduce speed.

It is illegal in the US for anyone under the age of 21 to drink alcohol. Driving drunk, regardless of the age of the driver, can prove fatal. A driver who caused serious injury or death because he/she was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence can be sentenced to time in prison. He or she can also be held financially liable in civil court for the Chicago car accident.

Due to their inexperience, most young drivers are already at higher risk than their older counterparts of getting involved in a Cook County car crash. Driving under the influence of alcohol, which clouds judgment, slows reflexes, and impairs the senses, only makes it harder for a young, inexperienced motorist to maintain control of a vehicle—especially during emergency situations.

Driver charged with DUI in deaths of two women in Wilmette, Chicago Sun-TImes, June 29, 2010

2 Chicago teens killed in crash after birthday celebration, Chicago Tribune, June 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Teen driver risks in high gear over summer, USA Today, June 21, 2010

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Continue reading "Two Chicago Teenagers Killed in Wilmette Car Accident After Birthday Celebration" »

A man accused of killing an 11-year-old girl in a hit-and-run Chicago, Illinois car crash has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Carlos Rubio was arrested just hours after Itali Hinton was struck and then dragged several feet by a van on East 79th Street on Tuesday evening. She sustained a traumatic brain injury and was soon pronounced dead at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.

Rubio, 67, had stopped at the Chicago pedestrian accident site, but then drove off after his vehicle was surrounded by a crowd that had witnessed the incident. He was arrested at around 2am on Wednesday after he was positively identified as the owner of the van that struck Hilton. The vehicle had been damaged on its front passenger-side bumper section.

Illinois law mandates that drivers stop at the site of any accident they are involved in. This allows the motorists to exchange contact and insurance information in the event that any vehicle damage occurred and if someone was injured, render assistance. Some people’s lives have been saved because the other motorist involved called 911 and tried to help.

Losing your loved one in any kind of accident is a devastating experience. You may be able to hold the negligent party responsible in civil court.

Man, 67, Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run of Girl, 11, My Fox Chicago, June 25, 2010

Girl, 11, killed by hit-run driver, Sun-Times, June 24, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Cyber Drive Illinois

Things You May Not Know About Hit and Run Accidents, Deadly Roads

Continue reading "11-Year-Old Girl Dragged in Hit-and-Run Chicago Car Accident Dies " »

In just the last few days, a number of people have been injured in Chicago car accidents. Early Monday, Armando Aguirre died in a Cook County motorcycle accident on I-55. He was pronounced dead at the traffic accident site.

Illinois State Police say that the 37-year-old Chicago rider lost control of his bike during an improper lane change. He was with two other motorcyclists and all three of them are said to have been operating their bikes at a high speed.

Also early Monday, five people were hospitalized in four separate Chicago car accidents. Two people who were hurt during a traffic crash that occurred close to the South Ashland Avenue and West 59th Street intersection were taken to hospitals. Another person who was hurt in a Cook County car accident at South Cicero and Archer Avenues was admitted in serious-to-critical condition to an Oak Lawn hospital. In an unrelated collision, a Chicago motorcycle accident victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital. And in yet another Chicago auto accident, this one on South Ashland Avenue, another person was injured enough to be admitted to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

On Sunday evening, four people were hurt in a multi-vehicle collision in Chicago’s South Side. All four Cook County car accident victims were admitted to local hospitals in serious-to-critical condition.

It was just the day before that three people sustained injuries in a Chicago rollover accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway. Two people were thrown from the vehicle, while another person had to be extricated. Police say that the driver may have attempted to “take the exit ramp too quickly.” Also on Saturday morning, four people were transported to local hospitals following three unrelated Cook County motor vehicle collisions in Humboldt Park and Garfield Park.

Chicago man killed in motorcycle accident on I-55, Daily Herald, June 21, 2010

5 Hurt In Crashes Across City Overnight, CBS 2 Chicago, June 21, 2010

3 injured in Dan Ryan rollover, Chicago Sun-Times, June 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Cyber Drive Illinois

Car Accidents Overview, Justia

Continue reading "Recent Chicago Car Accidents Result in Injuries and at Least One Death" »

The driver accused of striking 20-year-old Ludjana several times with his vehicle before leaving her at the Chicago car accident site has been charged with first-degree murder. Dido, who was six months pregnant, died of the multiple injuries she sustained in the Chicago pedestrian accident early on June 12, 2010. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office has ruled her death a homicide.

According to police, two groups of people became involved in an altercation on the Northwest Side. The verbal dispute turned physical and Dido reportedly threw a bottle at two people who were fighting. One of the people who was hit in the face was 18-year-old Roberto Garcia.

After both groups walked away from each other, police say that Garcia got into his car and drove towards Dido and her friends. While everyone else ran to the side of the vehicle, Garcia allegedly struck Dido, which caused her to become dislodged under the vehicle. He is accused of striking her at least two more times until he was dragging her under his auto. He then allegedly fled the Chicago motor vehicle crash site and told his friends not to pretend that the incident didn’t happen.

Witnesses, however, identified Garcia as the driver that hit Dido. On Monday, Garcia was ordered held without bond. He plans to appeal during his preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for next month.

Chicago Pedestrian Accidents
Regardless of whether or not a driver intended to strike a pedestrian, the motorist can be held liable for Chicago personal injury or wrongful death. Pedestrians have nothing to protect them from the impact of getting hit by a motor vehicle, and often, the injuries can be catastrophic. If the pedestrian survives with serious injuries, medical care, rehabilitation, and other costs can take a financial toll unless you obtain Chicago car accident recovery.

No bond for man charged in pregnant woman's hit-and-run death, Chicago Sun-Times, June 14, 2010

Pregnant woman killed in Northwest Side hit-run, Chicago Tribune, June 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Illinois Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Driver Accused of Striking Pregnant Pedestrian During Hit-and-Run Chicago Car Accident is Charged with Her Murder " »

The mother of a Proviso West High School cheerleader who died after she was hit by a car driven by one of her friends on Saturday night claims that the Chicago car crash was no accident. Carmen Harper is convinced that someone tried to intentionally hurt Nakella Harper.

The 18-year-old was attending a graduation party on June 12 when a gang-related brawl broke out. Nakella then ran into the street where she reportedly tripped and fell. An SUV driven by a friend of Nakella's accidentally struck her and the teenager's body, now pinned under the sport utility vehicle, was dragged some 30 to 40 feet.

Nakella was taken to a Maywood hospital where she died. Autopsy results found that her death, from multiple injuries sustained during the Chicago pedestrian accident, was accidental.

However, Carmen Harper is now claiming that she believes that Nakella didn’t just trip and fall but that someone else struck the teenager, which caused her to fall in front of the vehicle that struck hit. Carmen also contends that the car that ran over her daughter was rear-ended by another vehicle. She is asking people to step forward to tell police what really happened.

Dragging Death of Cheerleader No Accident, Mother Says, NBC, June 14, 2010

Teen dies after being dragged by SUV, Chicago Tribune, June 13, 2010

Continue reading "Mother Claims Daughter’s Chicago Car Dragging Death Was No Accident" »

Six months after the Park Ridge City Council decided not to impose a ban on hand-held cell phones while driving, its aldermen have agreed to reconsider whether the decision was the right one. Meantime, Chicago, Winnetka, and Evanston have put laws into place that only allow drivers to use hands-free phones while driving. Throughout Illinois, hand-held devices while driving in construction and school zones are prohibited, as is texting while driving.

Driving with a hand-held cell phone device requires a motorist to take at least one hand off the steering wheel, which can make it harder to stop or swerve or maintain control of the vehicle during an emergency situation. This can result in catastrophic Cook County, Illinois car crashes, which is why many cities and states have started making it illegal to talk with a phone in hand while driving.

There are also more experts who are now saying that driving on any kind of cell phone—whether hands-free or hand-held—ups the chances that a motorist will become involved in and/or cause a traffic crash. In March, the National Safety Council released a white paper talking about the risks involved with cell phone use coupled with driving and noted that regardless of whether or not a driver is holding the phone, the brain is still multitasking, which is not a safe activity to engage in while operating a motor vehicle.

The NSC reports that not only does cell phone use while driving impair driving performance and driver attention, but also it weakens the brains ability to catch onto driving cues. Drivers using cell phones tend to “look at” without seeing up to 50% of information found in the driving environment. This type of inattention blindness can make it hard for motorists to evaluate their surroundings, note possible hazards, and respond appropriately to unexpected occurrences. Unfortunately, it is no longer unusual news to hear that someone was injured or killed because another person was using a cell phone. Cell phone accidents claim many lives each year.

Park Ridge to reconsider ban on cell phone use while driving, Chicago Tribune, June 11, 2010

The National Safety Council Releases White Paper on Brain Distraction During Cell Phone Use While Driving, NSC, March 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, NHTSA

No Phone Zone, Oprah

Continue reading "Preventing Cook County Car Accidents: Park Ridge Aldermen Reconsidering Whether to Ban Motorists from Using Hand-Held Cell Phones" »

Joshua Lemond is suing Jean E. Frillman for Illinois injuries to two minors. Lemond contends that his daughters, Caitlin and Kelli, got hurt on June 15, 2009, when the vehicle the three of them were riding in was hit from the side by the auto that Frillman was driving.

The Lemonds claim that Frillman caused the Illinois car crash, did not maintain control of her car, drove too fast, did not yield the right-of-way, ignored a red light, and disregarded other traffic signs. They say that as a result of the Illinois car accident, they experienced pain and suffering and acquired medical bills.

They are seeking a judgment of over $50,000 plus costs.

Common Kinds of Illinois Car Accidents
• Rear-end crashes
• Side swipe collisions
• Intersectional accidents

Sideswipe collisions, also known as side impact auto crashes, T-bone collisions, and broadside crashes. This type of crash involves an object or vehicle hitting the side of another auto. As the human body absorbs forces from the side, these kinds of car accidents can cause serious and debilitating injuries, which can be costly to treat and may result in permanent injuries.

Child Accident Injuries
No parent ever wants to see his or her child get hurt. It can be especially frustrating to know that your son or daughter is suffering from injuries sustained in a car crash caused by another party’s negligence. You may be able to obtain Illinois personal injury compensation on their behalf.

Father sues over girls' auto accident injuries, The Record, June 9, 2010

Related Web Resources:

CyberDrive Illinois

Illinois Department of Transportation

A 21-year-old woman who is charged in the Illinois car accident that left two construction workers with minor injuries says she had been using her cell phone while in the construction zone. Megan C. Gates is charged with failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, using a cell phone in a construction zone, and violating Scott’s Law.

Illinois State Police say that Gates, who was driving her 2006 Honda CR-V SE just after midnight on Interstate 55/70, had entered the construction area when she swerved to avoid hitting an animal. She struck the a parked construction truck on the driver’s side, causing her own vehicle to flip over.

Injured in the Illinois traffic crash was construction worker Timothy R. Ahle, who was struck by debris. Another construction worker, Justin W. McQuarry, was struck by the construction trailer when Gates hit the truck. The two men were taken to a Maryville hospital for treatment of their minor injuries.

Gates admits that she was talking on her cell phone while in the construction zone, but she says that she was not using the phone when she struck the truck.

Distracted Driving
These days, people cannot afford to distract themselves when driving by talking on a phone or text messaging. Studies and accident statistics prove that cell phone and PDA use while driving can prove catastrophic.

Drivers need their eyes on the road, both hands on the steering wheel, and their attention fully at the task at hand and on the traffic around them in order to decrease the chances of causing and/or becoming involved in a Chicago car accident. Cell phone use and text messaging while driving can be cited as negligent acts when someone gets hurt or dies in the process.

Motorist blames animal in accident, The Intelligencer, June 4, 2010

Woman charged after crash that injured construction workers, BND, June 3, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Scott’s Law

Distracted Driving, National Safety Council

Continue reading "Woman Charged in Illinois Car Accident that Injured Two Construction Workers Was Using Cell Phone" »

James Sullivan is suing the village of Elmwood Park and police officer Mark Zelasco for injuries to a minor. Sullivan’s daughter Kelly was injured during a Cook County pedestrian accident on the evening of May 18. He is seeking over $150,000.

According to court documents, Kelly Sullivan was at the intersection of 75th and Marwood Avenues when she was struck by an Elmwood Village police car driven by officer Mark Zelasco. She had to be transported by ambulance to a Maywood hospital.

In his Elmwood Park pedestrian accident lawsuit, Sullivan contends that Zelasco was driving in an unsafe manner and at an unsafe speed, did not slow down to avoid becoming involved in a traffic accident, failed to avoid the collision, and did not sound his horn.

Sullivan also claims that because of the pedestrian accident, Kelly will experience future pain and suffering, loss of the enjoyment of her normal life, and is now disabled and disfigured. He is seeking compensation for his daughter’s medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, as well as for the lost wages incurred by family members that have had to take time off work to take care of her.

Steps drivers can take to avoid striking a pedestrian:
• Be extra careful and watchful at intersections and crosswalks
• Don’t drive drunk
• Don’t text or talk on the cell phone
• Obey traffic signals and lights

Dad sues village after girl struck by patrol car, Pioneer Local, June 3, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Village of Elmwood Park, Illinois

Pedestrians, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Cook County Car Accident Lawsuit Seeks Compensation from Village of Elmwood Park for Injuries Sustained by Daughter Struck by Police Car" »

According to AAA Chicago, approximately 1.5 million people will be driving from Illinois over the holiday weekend. While a long weekend is always a wonderful opportunity for friends and family to get together, the Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning that this weekend is also one of the deadliest periods on the roads.

According to the IDOT, 30 people died in 17 Illinois traffic crashes during the Memorial weekend last year—that’s about 9 deaths a day. While law enforcement agencies have stepped up their patrols and police enforcement to hopefully keep the Illinois car accident death toll down this year, it is still up to drivers to operate their vehicles carefully, wear there seat belts, and refrain from disobeying the traffic laws, speeding, driving drunk, talking on the cell phone, text messaging, or following too closely.

AAA offers a number of tips for safe travel over the Memorial Day weekend, including:

• Don’t drive aggressively
• Make sure your car is properly serviced before heading off
• Don’t keep stepping on the brakes
• Program your GPS before you get in the car not while you are stuck in traffic

Even though it is a holiday weekend, if you were injured in a Chicago car accident that was caused by another party’s reckless or negligent driving or because a vehicle malfunctioned or a traffic light didn’t work properly, it is important that you report the incident and speak with a Cook County motor vehicle crash lawyer about your case.

More people expected to travel this holiday weekend, SunTimes, May 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
AAA

CyberDrive, Illinois

Continue reading "Drive Carefully to Prevent Cook County Car Accidents: AAA Chicago Says 1.5 Million Motorists to Drive from Illinois Over Memorial Weekend" »

Kim Rhoades, the mother of Ashlyn Payne, has filed an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit against the Peoria County Sheriff's Department. Payne was pronounced brain dead in October 2009 after she was injured in a single-vehicle crash.

The 18-year-old was riding in a car driven by Jamie D. Duhs. also 18. The two of them had been drinking that night when the vehicle the were riding crashed.

A sheriff’s deputy was called to the scene and that was when Duhs got back in the vehicle and drove off. A police pursuit ensued that reached speeds of up to 90 mph. She too was critically injured during the Illinois car crash.

In her Illinois wrongful death lawsuit, Rhoades is accusing the sheriff’s deputy of acting in a “willful and wanton” way that contributed to her daughter’s car accident death. She claims that the deputy did not follow police pursuit policies and kept chasing after the vehicle after doing so was no longer safe.

Rhoades is seeking unspecified damages.

Duhs, who was also critically injured during the Illinois car accident was cited for DUI. Her blood-alcohol content was 0.213%, which was way over the .80 legal driving limit for alcohol. Illinois has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under age 21. Since then, she has pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated driving under the influence. Rhoades had requested that Duhs, a close friend of her daughter’s, avoid jail time. Duhs is sentenced to 180 days in jail, probation for three years, and 200 hours of public service.

Mother sues sheriff for trying to stop car, PJStar, April 30, 2010

Crash Victim Dies, Central Illinois News Center

Related Web Resources:
Peoria County Sheriff's Office

PursuitWatch.org

A Bucktown man who was injured in a hit-and-run Chicago taxi accident on May 14 remains in critical condition. Daniel Firkins was leaning through the window of a taxi that he had just summoned when, during a disagreement, the cab driver stepped on the gas and drove away with the 32-year-old still partially in the vehicle. The taxi driver then fled the car accident scene.

Firkins sustained a traumatic brain injury, two skull fractures, and other miscellaneous injuries. Tire marks on his leg also indicate that the cab had run over him. On Wednesday, his mother said that her son, who was placed in a drug-induced coma, may not make it.

David and Maureen Firkins are asking for help in identifying the cab driver. They considered the driver’s actions intentional and not accidental. The taxi involved in the Chicago cab accident is a white taxi with blue stripes.

Hit-and-Run Injury Victims
If you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago car accident involving a hit-and-run driver, you will need help collecting damages. Sometimes this means getting the company that provides the victim with insurance to pay damages. At other times, it means going after the driver’s insurer and other liable parties once the driver has been apprehended.

Motorists are supposed to stop at a Cook County car accident site to exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved. They also should call 911 in the event that medical help is required. It is a crime to hit-and-run. Not helping an injured motorist or pedestrian can cause the victims’ injuries to become more serious or, worse yet, lead to Chicago wrongful death.

Parents keep vigil over man dragged by cab, Chicago Tribune, May 19, 2010

Man critically injured in taxi accident, ABCLocal, May 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Hit-and-Run Accidents, Deadly Roads

Continue reading "Chicago Taxi Accident Victim Remains in Critical Condition" »

A 16-year-old Winnetka pedestrian who sustained brain swelling and a skull fracture after she was struck during a Cook County hit and run car crash last Friday is beginning to show signs of recovery. Doctors removed the ventilator tube from Sarah Goone on Wednesday.

The New Trier High School teen underwent surgery to alleviate the pressure and bleeding in her brain. Doctors also had to temporarily remove a portion of her skull so that the swelling could go down. Goone’s family says that she is still experiencing some difficulties with her speech.

The Cook County pedestrian accident happened as Goone was crossing Green Bay Road and Winnetka Avenue. She was struck by a vehicle driven by Erin Hughes, 18, who also studies at New Trier Township. According to preliminary toxicology test findings, Hughes had tetrahydrocannabinol in her system when the car accident happened. The chemical is found in the marijuana plant. Hughes is charged in the hit-and-run driving accident. Other charges may be pending. If convicted, she could serve up to seven years in prison for the most serious charge.

Drugged Driving
Driving under the influence of any drug can be dangerous. Drugs can affect cognition, perception, balance, attention, reaction time, coordination, and other faculties required to drive safely. For example, Marijuana can impact the parts of the brain that control coordination, movement, balance, judgment, sensations, and memory.

Impaired driving puts not just the driver’s life at risk, but also endangers the lives of others on the road. Drugged driving, like drunk driving and distracted driving, is negligent driving and injured parties may have grounds for filing a Chicago car accident lawsuit.

New Trier student charged in hit-and-run 'praying for Sarah, and I hope she gets better', Chicago Sun-Times, May 20, 2010

Hit-and-run suspect: I'm praying for Sarah, ABC7News, May 20, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CaringBridge.org

NIDA InfoFacts: Drugged Driving, National Institute of Drug Abuse

Hector Ramirez is charged with aggravated DUI in a Southwest Side car crash involving a death, reckless homicide, aggravated DUI without a driver’s license, operating a vehicle without insurance, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving without a valid license, and not using due care for a pedestrian in a roadway. The 32-year-old is accused of causing a Chicago car accident that involved his vehicle hitting three pedestrians and three other autos on May 7.

One of the pedestrians, 25-year-old Jamie Castillo, was later pronounced dead at a Cook County hospital. Three adults were admitted to hospitals in serious-to-critical condition. Four others were admitted in good-to-fair condition. One young child was admitted to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. Ramirez, who was placed under arrest, was taken to a hospital after he complained of chest pains.

Chicago Car Accidents
Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of catastrophic car accidents. A driver who decides to drive drunk is behaving carelessly and recklessly while endangering people’s lives. Unfortunately, even though people know better, there are those who still choose to drive while intoxicated. Often, it is the usually the people who weren’t driving drunk that end up suffering the most. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were 434 Illinois drunk driving deaths in 2008.

On May 3, in another Chicago, Illinois car collision, Manuel Figueroa was waiting to enter the right lane of southbound I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) when he was hit by a Berwyn man in a GMC pickup truck who had lost control of his vehicle and swerved across three lanes. Figueroa died later that day. Police believe the Berwyn driver was drunk when he caused the South Side car wreck.

DUI charges filed against man in fatal Southwest Side crash, Chicago Sun-Times, May 9, 2010

DUI Suspected in Fatal Stevenson Crash, MyFoxChicago, May 4, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Drunk Driving, Justia

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

The mother of 5-year-old Michael Langford Jr. is going to sue Chicago Heights and its police department for her son’s Cook County wrongful death in a Steger car accident. Langford was strapped in the backseat of the car driven by Cecil Conner when the vehicle crashed into a tree. Prosecutors contend that Conner was so drunk and high that he shouldn’t have been driving.

Langford’s mother, Kathie LaFond was the one driving when police pulled her over for failing to use a turn signal at around 2:35 am on Monday. LaFond, who was sober, was taken into custody for driving on a suspended license. Conner was allowed to drive off with the boy. He crashed the vehicle forty minutes later.

Now, the boy’s family is suing Chicago Heights and its police department for negligence. They contend that the arresting officer should never have let Conner, who was intoxicated, drive off with the boy.

Meantime, police sources say the arresting officer told Conner to go directly to the Chicago Police Department, which he didn’t do. They also claim that he did not appear drunk at the time. Conner is charged with aggravated driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Chicago Car Accidents
Determining who is liable for causing a Chicago, Illinois car accident can be tough without legal help. There may be more than one party responsible for causing your personal injury accident or the wrongful death of a family member. Depending on the specifics of your case, examples of other possible liable parties:

• Auto manufacturer
• Maintenance shop
• Restaurant/bar/private citizen who overserved alcohol to a motorist/minor
• Police for engaging in a police pursuit that caused the traffic crash
• Government entity responsible for a dangerous road defect

$500,000 bail for man accused of DUI in fatal crash, Chicago Tribune, May 11, 2010

Mother Of Boy Killed In Steger Crash To File Suit, CBS, May 11, 2010

Related Web Resources:
The 6 Most Common Causes of Automobile Crashes, SixWise.com

CyberDrive Illinois

Continue reading "Mother to Sue Chicago Heights Over Steger Car Crash that Killed Her 5-Year-Old" »

The family of 18-year-old Jessica Uhl and her 15-year-old sister Kelli, are seeking $46 million in wrongful death recovery from the state of Illinois and former Illinois State Trooper Matt Mitchell. The Collinsville sisters were killed on November 23, 2007 during a head-on crash with Mitchell.

The deadly Illinois car accident occurred on Interstate 64 as the former state trooper was headed to another traffic crash site. Prosecutors have said that Mitchell was distracted when he struck the girls’ auto. They contend that he was using his cell phone, emailing on the computer of the police vehicle, and driving at a speed of 126 mph when the collision happened.

Because the state of Illinois has sovereign immunity from lawsuits, the wrongful death case is going before the Court of Claims rather than a civil jury. The girls parents, Brian Uhl and Kimberly Schlau, filed their Illinois car accident lawsuit in the Court of claims on April 19, just three days after Mitchell pleaded guilty to two counts each of aggravated reckless driving and reckless homicide. His sentence is 30 months probation. As part of his plea agreement, the former cop agreed to never work as a police officer again.

Following the conclusion of his criminal case, Mitchell changed his story. He claims that he did not cause the girls’ wrongful deaths and that he only pleaded guilty because he didn’t think he would receive a fair trial.

There are four claimants seeking recovery from the state and Mitchell: The girls’ parents, stepsister Maddy, and stepbrother Tony. They are claiming loss of love, society, companionship, and affection.

Distracted Driving
Driving while distracted, especially at high speeds, is dangerous not just to the motorist who is preoccupied but to the pedestrians and other vehicles that happen to be around at the time. It doesn’t matter how urgent it is that you get to your destination as soon as possible or that you obtain whatever information you need from the person that you are texting or talking with on the phone. Nothing is more important than safely getting where you need to go and making sure that you aren’t involved in a Chicago, Illinois car accident that could destroy other people’s lives.

Family seeks $46 million for daughters’ deaths, St, Louis Globe-Democrat, May 3, 2010

Uhl Family Wants $46 Million to Settle Lawsuit, Fox2News, May 4, 2010

2 killed in crash identified as sisters, STLToday.com, December 1, 2007

Related Web Resources:
Illinois State Police

PursuitWatchdog.org

Distracted Driving

Lora Hunt, the woman accused of painting her fingernails when her vehicle crashed into motorcyclist Anita Zaffke in a Lake County, Illinois car accident last year, is on trial for reckless homicide. At a Waukegan courtroom, the 48-year-old nurse maintained that she wasn’t putting nail polish on her nails when she fatally struck Zaffke.

The 56-year-old Lake Zurick motorcycle rider had stopped at a traffic signal when she was rear-ended by Hunt’s Chevrolet Impala. While Hunt acknowledged painting her nails while behind the wheel of her vehicle she says that she wasn’t doing that as she arrived at the intersection where Zaffe’s bike was stopped. Also, says that she didn’t stop because even though the traffic light had turned yellow, the vehicles around her were still moving. However, in Hunt’s written statement Hunt to police, she said that she was “distracted.”

Our Chicago, Illinois car accident lawyers cannot caution motorists enough about the dangers of distracted driving. Seemingly harmless tasks and actions can prove fatal when you do them while you are operating a motor vehicle. Earlier this year, a woman was charged with reckless driving for causing a car crash because she had been shaving her private parts and operating her vehicle at the same time.

Other distracted driving activities that can lead to car crashes include reading, applying makeup, watching movies, playing games on a PDA, surfing the Internet on a laptop, and of course, texting and/or talking to the cell phone while driving. When these kinds of activities distract a motorist to the extend that a traffic crash happens, injured parties may have grounds for a Cook County car accident lawsuit.

Woman testifies she stopped painting her nails before fatal crash, Chicago Sun-Times, May 5, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Distraction.gov

Distracted Driving Campaign, National Safety Council

Ashton Williams was crossing the street with his dad and sister on South Michigan Avenue when he was hit by a van going the wrong direction on the one-way street. Williams, age 6, sustained a concussion, bruises, cuts, and a stiff neck when he was thrown some 15 feet during the Chicago, Illinois car accident. The driver of the van then left the South Side motor vehicle crash site.

According to his father, Mark, the van appeared to come from nowhere. He says that the driver was speeding.

Chicago, Illinois Wrong-Way Driving Accidents
Wrong-way driving is a leading cause of car accidents. The chance that a wrong-way driver will cause a deadly head-on crash is high. Pedestrian accidents can also happen—especially as the victims may not be looking for a vehicle coming from that direction.

Common wrong-way driving situations:
• A motorist goes the wrong way down a one-way street
• Driving in the wrong direction up a lane
• Entering the freeway through an exit or exiting a highway through the entrance

Wrong-way driving accidents are preventable. Distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to obey traffic signs are common causes of wrong-way driving. Traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries can occur because a driver was careless or reckless and drove the wrong way.

6-year-old injured in South Side hit-and-run, ABC Local, April 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Hit-And-Run Victims Now Eligible For Compensation, CBS2Chicago, October 8, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Injures 6-Year-Old Pedestrian" »

According to a USA Today review, 1/3rd of those killed in high-speed police chases are innocent bystanders. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that about 360 people are killed every year during police pursuits, those who support tougher chase policies say the actual number of deaths are higher.

One reason for this is that there isn’t a mandatory reporting system to log the deaths that occur during police chases. Also, innocent bystanders killed after a cop has stopped chasing a suspect aren’t counted in the fatality numbers.

According to University of South Carolina professor of criminology Geoffrey Alpert, 35-40% of all police pursuits result in car accidents. Alpert notes that implementing restrictive chase polices has been known to decrease the number of police pursuits and the deaths that can result.

Chicago Car Accidents
Our Chicago car crash lawyers work with clients in Cook County, Lake County, Will County, and DuPage County that have been injured in all kinds of traffic accidents. Just because a police officer is doing his/her job by pursuing a suspect doesn’t mean that he or she can place other people’s lives at risk by driving at speeds significantly higher than the posted speed limit or disobeying traffic signals or striking vehicles and pedestrians in their way. Police officers are also supposed to refrain from causing accident injuries to the suspect(s) that are the object of the pursuit.

Deaths lead police to question high-speed chase policies, USA Today, April 23, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Police Pursuits: Facts, Policies, and Technologies (PDF)

Chicago Police Department

Continue reading "High-Speed Police Car Chases Result in Deaths of Innocent Bystanders" »

12-year-old Kelly Ryan died on Sunday night after he was hit by a pickup truck on the Southwest Side. Ryan, who was riding his bicycle, had just entered a crosswalk on Narragansett Avenue when a Ford F-250 hit him.

The Cook County bicycle accident occurred at around 8:25 pm. The driver of the vehicle that struck Ryan, 48-year-old driver Keith Kostush, received traffic citations, including one for negligent driving.

Child Bicycle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the 716 pedalcyclist deaths and 52,000 injuries last year, riders under the age of 16 made up 13% of fatalities and 25% of injuries. 87% of those who died where male. These figures are not surprising, considering that child bicycle injuries is the leading type of kid injury involving recreational sports that results in emergency room visits each year. About 1/3rd of the children hospitalized for their bicycle injuries sustained a traumatic brain injury from the crash.

While bicyclist errors and carelessness is a common cause of Cook County bicycle crashes, there are also many bicycle accidents that occur because a driver was distracted, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, failed to obey traffic signs, lost control of the vehicle, or behaved negligently in otherwise.

Kids are prone to serious injuries in any kind of traffic crash. But for child cyclists who may only have the protection of a helmet to cushion the blow that comes with being hit by a car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle, or a van, the injuries are often catastrophic if not fatal.

Boy, 12, killed riding bike on Southwest Side, Chicago Breaking News, April 10, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Kids' Bike Injuries Are Major Public Health Concern, Science Daily, October 18, 2007

Bicyclists and Other Cyclists, NHTSA, (PDF)

Adrian Tellez has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor driving while under the influence, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the catastrophic Chicago car crash that claimed the life of his passenger, 25-year-old Rafael Lopez.

The Cook County auto accident happened at around 2:30 am on April 1 on the Near West Side. Tellez was driving a 2005 Ford Taurus that collided with a UPS semi-truck, which was trying to turn left. According to police, the 21-year-old’s BAC was .16, which is two times the legal driving limit.

The Chicago Fire Department was called to the traffic crash site to extricate some of the auto accident victims. Five people were taken to hospitals—two of them in serious to critical condition.

According to autopsy results, Lopez’s death was caused by multiple injuries from an auto hitting a truck. His death was ruled an accident.

Chicago Drunk Driving Accidents
Our Chicago car accident lawyers cannot stress enough the dangers of driving drunk and the degree of injury risk that this irresponsible activity poses for people. Drunk driving is a senseless and unnecessary way to get hurt, destroy one’s life, and accidentally inflict great harm, pain, and suffering on others.

Just last week, four women were taken to local hospitals after their car drove into a business in a shopping plaza. The car’s driver, 24-year-old Sharlie Shaffer, sustained serious injuries. She is charged with drunk driving.

On March 31, a Wayne man pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and drunk driving in the June 2009 St. Charles, Illinois car accident that claimed the life of West Chicago resident Cameron Godee, age 18. The driver, Onofrio "Josh" Lorusso, is facing a maximum of 14 years in prison.

The 19-year-old lost control of his car while driving his SUV at a speed of approximately 77 mph in a 25 mph zone at around 3:20 AM. The vehicle struck two trees and a mailbox.

Lorusso’s BAC was nearly three times the legal limit. Two passengers riding in the backseat were also injured. Godee and Lorusso had been best friends since they were third graders.

Four women hurt when drunk driver crashes into business, WBBM780, April 14, 2010

Man pleads guilty in crash that killed best friend, Chicago Tribune, March 31, 2010

Motorist twice the legal limit in fatal Near West Side wreck: cops, Sun-Times, April 6, 2010

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Influenced Driving, Illinois State Police

Continue reading "Driver Charged in Chicago Car Crash Involving UPS Semi-Truck That Claimed Passenger’s Life" »

Per the Chicago traumatic brain injury settlement advanced by a City Council committee, Regina Valera is to receive $3 million for her Cook County personal injuries. Valera sustained a TBI, kidney contusion, fractured her collarbone, and lacerated her liver on August 10, 2004, after she was hit by a stolen GMC van that ran a red light while Chicago Police followed it during an unauthorized pursuit.

Valera, then 17, was thrown about 40 feet from her vehicle during the Chicago car accident. She was placed in an induced coma for 48 hours and was in the hospital for more than two weeks. Now, she can only work menial jobs.

Under Chicago police policy, cops must obtain supervisory approval before engaging in a pursuit. They also must stop chasing the suspect if he/she starts disregarding traffic control signals. The cops that were involved in the police chase that injured Valera never told their supervisors that they were chasing a suspect. Their vehicle was moving at about 55 mph in a 25 mph zone.

The cops have denied that they were involved in an unauthorized pursuit. However, a van passenger and a witness said the police chase went on for eight blocks.

If you or someone you have was injured in a police pursuit, you should speak with a Chicago injury lawyer immediately. Cops must follow specific procedures when chasing a suspect and they are not allowed to endanger the suspect or anyone else.

Sustaining any kind of injury during a Chicago car crash can be difficult. There are likely medical expenses, recovery costs, lost wages, property damage, and other losses and costs. If your injury was a catastrophic one, such as a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury, the expenses may be astronomical. It is important that the parties responsible for your traumatic injuries be held liable.

Committee OKs $3 million to settle lawsuit by woman injured by police chase, Chicago Sun-TImes, April 12, 2010

Chicago aldermen approve $3 million settlement in police chase crash, Chicago Tribune, April 14, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Chicago Police Department

Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Guide, Center for Neuro Skills

Traumatic Brain Injury, Mayo Clinic

Drunk driving is a senseless way to die and/or cause serious injuries to others. Unfortunately, thousands of people are killed in drunk driving accidents every year.

Just last Thursday, a Lake County, Illinois car accident on Route 68 in Barrington Hills claimed the lives of two people. Police believe alcohol may have been a factor.

According to authorities, at around 4:15 pm, a 2004 Nissan Maxima headed east on Route 67 crossed the solid yellow line and drove head-on into a 2002 Buick LeSabre. Both the driver of the Nissan, 24-year-old North Aurora resident Oscar Arce, and the driver of the Buick, 84-year-old Sarah Yaple, were pronounced dead at a Hoffman Estates hospital. Arce’s older Brother, 25-year-old Eloy Arce, was listed in fair condition on Thursday night. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Arce and Yaple both died from multiple car accident injuries.

Court records report that Oscar Arce had a record of previous driving offenses, including disregarding a traffic control device, failure to obey a stop sign, squealing/screeching tires, and failure to display/carry a license.

On Saturday, three people were injured and one person was killed in a Crystal Lake car accident. Drunk driving also may have been a contributing factor.

The catastrophic Illinois car crash happened right before midnight when the driver of a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a 1994 Jeep Cherokee. Both vehicles ended going off the road.

24-year-old Schaumburg resident Vanessa Toby died from her injuries. Three people were transported to hospitals. The Jeep’s driver and a passenger were examined at the crash site before they were released.

1 killed, 3 hurt in Crystal Lake crash, Chicago Tribune, April 11, 2010

84-year-old crash victim 'did everything for other people', Daily Herald, April 9, 2010

Two dead in Barrington Hills alcohol-fueled crash, Pioneer Local, April 9, 2010

2 dead, 1 injured in Barrington Hills crash, ABC Local, April 9, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Drunk Driving, Chicago Tribune, April 12, 2010

Impaired Driving, CDC

A man who was injured during an Illinois cell phone accident is suing for personal injury. Corey G. Ritnour says that he got hurt on June 9, 2009 when he was rear-ended by Sophia E. Rawlings while she talked on her cell phone.

The Illinois car crash took place on Horseshoe Lake Road in Pontoon as Ritnour was getting ready to turn left. Ritnour is seeking car accident compensation for his pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, decreased earning capacity, diminished enjoyment of a normal life, and disability.

He is accusing Rawlings of not keeping her car in control, driving too fast, not reducing her speed, and neglecting to keep a proper lookout.

He is seeking over $50,000 plus other relief.

Cell Phone Driving Accidents
Talking on a cell phone while driving inevitably distracts a driver and prevents him/her from paying attention to the road and traffic. The motorist’s ability to react quickly is delayed, brain activity associated with driving goes down significantly, and the risk of becoming involved in a traffic accident goes up by at least four times. Unfortunately, it is now no longer surprising to find out that someone got hurt because a motorist was texting or talking on a phone while operating a motor vehicle.

Just like drunk driving, distracted driving is a senseless way to unintentionally destroy another person’s life. A distracted driver can end up in prison while also becoming the defendant of a Chicago, Illinois car crash lawsuit or wrongful death complaint. Fortunately, the federal government and the state of Illinois are taking steps to discourage distracted driving.

Driver using cell phone caused rear-end accident, suit claims, The Record, March 31, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Cellphones and Driving, Insurance Information Institute

Distracted Driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 102 fatalities involving Toyota car crashes may have been caused by sudden acceleration. The Los Angeles Times reports that is almost double the number of Toyota acceleration-related deaths—56 fatalities—that were reported at the end of January.

The complaints started to flood in following the recalls of over 8.5 million Toyota vehicles over sudden acceleration concerns caused by sticking gas pedals and ill-fitting floor mats. Meantime, the automaker remains adamant that there are no electronic problems that have contributed to the unintended acceleration accidents.

According to the Times, Clarence Ditlow, from the Center for Auto Safety in Washington, says that he thinks that in the next several months hundreds more Toyota acceleration deaths will be reported. It may be that many people who thought driver negligence was the cause of a car crash are now discovering that the culprit was actually a vehicle defect. Among the recent Toyota products liability lawsuits that have been filed:

Nancy and Daniel Murtha are suing Toyota over the wrongful death of their 5-year-old son. Jacob Murtha died during a Lexus acceleration crash in July 2008. Nancy, who was driving the vehicle, sustained serous injuries when the car accelerated suddenly, forcing her to drive into a rock wall.

Barbrara Green filed a Toyota acceleration lawsuit accusing the automaker of causing the wrongful death of her son, Blazej Ignatowicz. He died in December 2006 when his Toyota Solara sped up to 100 mph, causing him to loose control of the vehicle and crash into a number of trees.

The parents of Mark Saylor and his wife are also suing Toyota. Saylor, his wife, their daughter, and his brother-in-law died last August when the Lexus they borrowed from the dealer accelerated out of control because the gas pedal got caught in the floor mat. It was after their deaths that Toyota began announcing a wave of massive vehicle recalls.

Toyotas' sudden acceleration blamed for more deaths, Los Angeles Times, March 26, 2010

Westchester County, New York Parents File Suit Against Toyota for Death of Their Five-Year-Old Son in Lexus Sudden Acceleration Incident, Marketwatch, March 18, 2010

Saylor relatives suing Toyota, dealers, SignonSanDiego, March 2, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corp.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Toyota Sudden Acceleration Blamed for Over 100 Traffic Deaths" »

The Illinois Supreme Court says that the families of April Simmons and John Chiariello can sue the Diamonds Gentleman’s Club and parent company On Stage Productions Inc. for the two car accident victims’ wrongful deaths. Chiariello, a St. Charles resident, and Simmons, who is from Yorkville, were killed in a 2006 drunk driving crash on Route 25 on January 4, 2006. Simmons was pregnant at the time and her unborn baby also died.

The drunk driver, Wayne resident John Homatas, was high and drunk when he drive away from the DuPage County strip club and crashed into Simmons’ SUV. Chiariello was riding in the car with him during the Illinois car accident.

Legal representatives for On Stage have argued that the company could not be held liable under the Dram Shop Act, which holds parties that serve alcohol liable for drunken patrons’ actions, because the strip club doesn’t serve alcohol.

However, the plaintiffs’ families argued that the club’s employees put Homatas in the driver’s seat of his Jeep even though he had thrown up in the strip club bathroom. Also, even though the club is a BYOB spot, the strip club provides glasses, ice, and mixers.

The Illinois Supreme Court is sending the Kane County wrongful death lawsuit back to a lower court so that the case can move forward. Homatas, now 29, is serving a 12-year prison term for his role in the fatal Illinois car accident.

Drunk Driving
Drunk driving can be deadly. Not only is it a motorist’s responsibility not to drive while drunk, but if workers at a club or the hosts of an event see that someone is drunk, they definitely should not help them get into the driver’s seat of any car.

Most people never intend to kill someone when they are drunk, but unfortunately, that is what can happen. Intentional or not, losing someone you love because a driver was drunk or under the influence of drugs is a devastating experience.

Illinois Supreme Court rules families can sue in fatal crash, The Chronicle, March 19, 2010

Court says strip club can be sued in fatal Route 25 crash, SuburbanChicagoNews, March 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Read the Illinois Supreme Court's Ruling (PDF)

I(235 ILCS 5/) Liquor Control Act of 1934, Illinois General Assembly

A single-car crash on the Far South Side has left one woman dead and a 9-year-old with injuries. The Chicago car accident happened on Tuesday, as 28-year-old Yvonne Kemp lost control of the Ford Escort she was driving on I-57.

The vehicle crossed the right and center lanes before driving off the embankment and striking a light pole, which then broke and landed on the car and caused the vehicle’s roof to cave in.

Katrina Jackson, who was a passenger in the car, died from her Chicago, Illinois motor vehicle crash injuries. Another passenger, a 9-year-old girl, was ejected from the vehicle. She landed on the grass and the light pole fell on her. She sustained non-fatal injuries.

Kemp, who is the girl’s mother, was charged with drunken driving.

Drunk Driving Crashes
Drunk driving-related injuries and death are preventable. Ways to avoid causing drunken driving accidents:

• Don’t drink and drive
• Don’t let your friends drink and drive
• Appoint a designated driver
• Make overnight arrangements if you plan to/end up drinking too much
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact 911

Warning signs that someone on the road may be driving drunk:
• Dangerous passing
• Making excessively wide turns
• Driving too slowly
• Weaving
• Driving without the headlights on
• Driving on the center line

It is negligent behavior for a motorist to get behind the steering wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol or drug.

One charged with DUI in I-57 crash that killed one, ejected child, Sun-Times, March 11, 2010

1 charged in fatal I-57 crash, Southtown Star, March 10, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Drunk driving can be stopped, Alcohol Problems and Solutions

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident on I-57 Injures 9-Year-Old and Kills One Woman" »

A Joliet teenager has died following a New Lenox car collision on Monday night. 16-year-old Emily A. Dukovac was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead at 6:34 pm.

The Will County car accident took place at New Lenox and Cherry Hill Roads when a Chevrolet Cavalier carrying Dukovac and two other 16-year-old girls failed to stop at a stop sign and was hit by a Ford F-150 pickup truck. The truck hit the Chevrolet on the passenger side, fatally wounding Dukovac, who was in the backseat. The other two girls sustained nonfatal injuries.

According to the Will County Sheriff’s Department, at the time of the Illinois car accident, the weather was clear, the road conditions were “good,” and alcohol, drugs, or speeding don’t appear to have been involved. The 49-year-old Joliet pickup trucker did not sustain any visible injuries. All three car crash survivors were taken to the hospital.

Will County Car Collisions
Our Chicago, Illinois car accident attorneys cannot stress enough the importance of obeying all traffic signs, signals, and laws. It is especially important that teen drivers learn Illinois’ driving laws. They already suffer from the disadvantage of lacking driver experience, which increases their chances of becoming involved in a teen driving accident. Failure to obey traffic laws can prove catastrophic. Not only is this tragic for any victims involved, but it is also a tragedy for the driver, who in many cases lacked the skills, knowledge, and maturity to avoid causing a car crash and made an irreversible mistake.

Common causes of teen driving accidents:

• Driver inexperience
• Speeding
• Easily prone to distraction
• Text messaging
• Talking on cell phones
• Drunk driving
• Drugged driving

Plainfield high school mourns Joliet girl killed in New Lenox crash, Chicago Tribune, March 9, 2010

Joliet teen dies, 2 other girls injured in wreck, Chicago Sun-TImes, March 9, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Teen Drivers, CDC

Illinois Graduated Licensing System, CyberDriveIllinois.com

Continue reading "Will County, Illinois Car Crash Kills Joliet Teenager and Injuries Two Others" »

A Cook County woman who lost her husband and son when the 1984 Chevrolet Astro Van they were riding in rolled over on March 3, 2009 in Mexico is suing the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. Alicia Mendoza and Roberta Graff filed their Cook County wrongful death lawsuit over the deaths of Jose L. Mendoza Sr., Jose Mendoza Jr., and Leonardo Medina. Graff submitted the complaint on behalf of Medina.

According to their Illinois wrongful death complaint, the catastrophic van accident happened because of a tire defect that resulted in tire tread separation and failure.

Also named as defendants in the Illinois wrongful death complaint are Martha and Ruben Mendoza. They lent the van to the deceased. The lawsuit is seeking over $300,000 from the Mendozas and over $600,000 from the tire company.

Common Kinds of Tire Defects:

• Tire failure
• Tread separation
• Tire blowouts
• Rim blasts
• Tire explosions

Tire issues can occur because of design flaws, manufacturing defect, or due to negligence during installation/repair. In the event that a tire blowout happens or tread separation occurs, there is a good chance that a driver can lose control of the vehicle, causing the auto to crash into other cars or roll over. Spinal cord injuries, head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, quadriplegia, paraplegia, and death can result.

Tire manufacturers, retailers, and tire repair and installation shops are supposed to make sure that tires are in proper working condition, no defects exist, and no maintenance errors are made that can cause a tire-relate crash to occur. Injured parties may have grounds for filing a Chicago, Illinois defective tire lawsuit or wrongful death complaint.

Suit: Defective tire led to triple-fatal crash, Chicago Sun-TImes, February 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Products Liability, Justia

Motor Vehicles, Recalls.gov

19-year-old Kimisha M. Moore is charged with aggravated reckless conduct for her alleged role in the Chicago car accident that left an Illinois State Trooper with serious injuries on Saturday night. Police say that Moore was looking at her cell phone when she accidentally struck the trooper, who was standing in the express lane’s right shoulder on I-94.

According to Chicago police, the trooper had stopped a vehicle on the Dan Ryan’s Expressway when a Toyota hit her. The trooper sustained a head injury and leg injuries from the Chicago cell phone accident and went into surgery at a Cook County hospital. Following the procedure, she was transferred to the ICU where she was in “stable” condition on Sunday morning.

Moore also received citations for failure to reduce speed, improper lane usage, violating Scott’s Law, and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Our Chicago, Illinois car accident lawyers cannot stress enough that distracted driving is dangerous and can kill people. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that over 500,000 people every year sustain injuries because drivers were not paying attention to the road. Cell phone use and texting have rapidly become two of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving.

Teenagers are one demographic who are especially at high-risk of getting into a distracted driving accident. Not only are they more easily distracted than their adult counterparts, but also they are more likely to text or use a cell phone while driving. They also lack the experience that older drivers have when it comes to preventing car accidents as they are about to happen.

Driver distracted by phone when she hit trooper on Dan Ryan: prosecutor, Chicago Sun-TImes, March 1, 2010

Woman Who Hit State Trooper Was Using Cell Phone, NBC4, March 1, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Scott's Law Brochure, Illinois State Police

Distraction.gov

Continue reading "Chicago, Illinois Cell Phone Accident: Teen Was Looking at Phone When She Hit State Police Trooper on Dan Ryan Expressway" »

A father and daughter are suing Carlo Gordon for personal injury. David and Lauren Levy claim that they were injured on July 17 when their 1995 Saturn was rear-ended by Gordon, who they allege dropped his cell phone while driving a 2003 Buick Lasabre.

Lauren is a minor. She was driving the car and her dad was with her as a passenger. David and Lisa Levy, Lauren’s mother, are the plaintiffs of the Illinois car accident complaint.

David and Lauren say they sustained head and neck injuries and experienced loss of their normal lives, disability, serious physical pain, and mental anguish. Lauren also injured her back, while David hurt his shoulder. The two of them claim their injuries, time off work, and medical bills have cost over $60,000, and they are seeking compensation for injuries and damages, in addition to costs.

Lauren and David claim that Gordon caused the Illinois auto accident when he looked down after dropping his cell phone. He then allegedly failed to: control his vehicle, prevent the Illinois car crash, activate his brakes, slow down his car’s speed, and drive safely. They also are accusing him of following too closely behind their auto.

Cell Phone Accidents
Although still not considered the taboo that drunk driving is, the similarly tragic consequences that can result when driving under the influence or using a cell phone to talk or text message are now undeniable. More than 330,000 people get hurt every year because someone was distracted while using a cell phone or PDA. Thousands are killed. Fortunately, the state of Illinois, a number of other US States, and the federal government are taking steps to discourage drivers from engaging in this dangerous practice.

If you were injured or someone you love died in a Chicago, Illinois cell phone accident, you may be owed personal injury or wrongful death damages.

Dropped cell phone caused driver to lose control, suit claims, The Record, February 11, 2010

Distracted Driving: The Dangers of Mobile Texting and Phone Calls, TechNews Daily, February 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Focus Driven

CyberDrive Illinois

US Department of Transportation

A woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury and was left partially paralyzed in a Chicago, Illinois car accident is suing the Checker Taxi Company for personal injury. 38-year-old Joyce Kilburg was riding in the cab on October 6 when the taxi, a Ford Crown Victoria cab, crashed.

Kilburg fell into a coma that doctors did not think she would regain consciousness from. However, not only did she wake up, but she is also learning to walk again.

Munawar Mohiuddin, the cab driver, claims that sudden acceleration caused the catastrophic taxi accident. Following the Chicago, Illinois motor vehicle accident, a judge ordered that the black box be preserved. There have been other acceleration accidents involving Crown Victoria vehicles in the past. However, the black box is now missing.

Kilburg’s Chicago, Illinois injury lawsuit alleges that the taxi company got rid of the black box to cover up the actual cause of the accident. If sudden acceleration was the cause of the crash, the evidence from the black box is key to winning an auto products liability lawsuit against Ford.

Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other catastrophic injuries can be very expensive to treat and recover from. Not only will the injury victim likely need to undergo numerous medical procedures, extensive rehabilitation, and possibly even require specialized nursing care, but he/she may no longer be able to work, which can lead to a loss of income and benefits.

Suit: Taxi company tried to cover up details of crash, WBBM Radio, February 24, 2010

Woman files lawsuit over cab crash, ABC7Chicago.com, February 24, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI Guide.com

Brain Injuries Overview, Justia

An Illinois wrongful death lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Mavis L. Stonick, a 71-year-old woman who died from injuries she sustained in a Cook County pedestrian accident last year. Mavis L. Stonick was trying to cross Sheridan Road close to Foster Street on October 27, 2009 when she was hit by driver Judy Lowrance.

Witnesses say that Stonick was walking against the light when the Mercedes-Benz hit her. Rainy weather and darkness may have contributed to the Cook County car crash.

According to the Evanston wrongful death lawsuit, Lowrance was driving too fast for traffic conditions and neglected to keep a proper lookout. The complaint is seeking over $200,000.

Chicago, Illinois Motor Vehicle Accidents
Drivers are supposed to keep a proper lookout, follow traffic laws and traffic signs/lights, driver sober, and obey the speed limit. If weather conditions require, a driver must adjust the vehicle’s speed accordingly so that he/she don’t get involved in a Chicago car crash or a pedestrian accident.

For a person who gets hurt because a motorist was reckless, careless, or negligent, the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial tolls can be devastating. Fortunately, injured parties can turn to the civil court system to demand compensation from the liable party or parties. In some instances, settling may be the best option. Other cases will require that you take your Chicago, Illinois car crash complaint to trial.

It is important that you NOT settle without speaking to an experienced Chicago, Illinois personal injury lawyer first.

Wrongful death lawsuit filed in Evanston death, Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2010

Estate of struck Northwestern pedestrian files lawsuit, Daily Northwestern, February 15, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Pedestrians, Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, NHTSA

City of Chicago, Pedestrian Program

Police have charged 48-year-old Eddie Lumpkin with aggravated DUI and reckless homicide for causing the catastrophic Chicago, Illinois car crash that claimed the life of 6-year-old girl Jada Washington and seriously injured her aunt Tiuette Richardson. The two Chicago pedestrians were crossing the street at Ashland and 74th at around 6:30 on Tuesday when they were struck by Lumpkin, who was driving a van.

According to prosecutors, the young girl’s body struck the windshield before flying into the street. Jada was pronounced dead at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. Richardson injured her shoulder blade and leg, as well as fractured her skull.

Authorities say that prior to the South Side auto accident Lumpkin had been ticked at least 40 times for traffic offenses. Speeding, running red lights, running stop signs, and failing to exercise caution around pedestrians were among the many violations he’d been cited for. He was convicted six times but the majority of tickets against him were dismissed.

Chicago DUI Accidents
Even though people know how dangerous it is to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, there are motorists who still get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while intoxicated or high. When this happens, the motorist becomes a danger to everyone on the road.

It is bad enough to be the victim of a pedestrian accident let alone get hurt in one that involves a drunken or drugged driver whose vision, reflexes, and ability to stop a vehicle have been severely impaired. While most drunk and drugged drivers never intend to injure or kill anyone, unfortunately there are those who end up doing just that. If his happens, you should speak with an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer right away.

As for the people who dare to drink/get high and drive, our Chicago, Illinois pedestrian accident law firm wants to remind you not to be so reckless. In a city with such good public transportation and so many hotels, there is no excuse for why you need to ever get behind the driver’s seat of a car when you are under the influence.

Prosecutors say motorist charged with DUI in child’s death had cocaine in his system, Chicago Tribune, February 19, 2010

Motorist in girl's death collected at least 40 traffic tickets, ChicagoBreakingNews, February 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
What is Drugged Driving?, National Institute on Drug Abuse

CyberDrive Illinois

The parents of Joshua Molina, Jr., 13 months, are suing driver Putiporn Kaewmooka for their son’s Chicago, Illinois wrongful death. Joshua Molina and two adults, Aldo Maldonado and Orlando Rodriguez died in a Chicago car accident on February 1 when Kaewmooka struck the vehicle they were riding as he was fleeing from another auto accident site.

According to the couple’s Chicago car accident lawyer, Kaewmooka was driving at speeds of about 80 to 100 mph, not driving in the correct lane, and did not have his car lights on even though it was late at night. Kaewmooka’s Toyota Camry struck the vehicle Joshua Molina Sr., who was turning left.

Young Joshua, who was in a child safety seat, was knocked out of the car seat that he was fastened into and struck the rear window. Rodriguez and Maldonado, who were Joshua Molina Sr.'s best friends, were riding in the backseat of the car with the toddler. Maldonado was thrown from the vehicle.

Amy Alanis and Joshua Molina’s Chicago injury lawsuit is seeking at least $50,000 from Kaewmooka for their personal injuries and their son’s wrongful death.

Kaewmooka, who was charged with traffic citations, has been released on bond. The couple’s lawyer doesn’t believe that police charged Kaewmooka with the proper citations or crimes.

Couple Sues Driver in Crash that Killed Baby, Two Friends, MSNBC, February 12, 2010

Couple sues man in crash that left their baby, two friends dead, Chicago Sun-Times, February 8, 2010

Chicago Car Accident Claims Lives of 13-Month Old Boy and Two Adults, Chicagocaraccidentattorneysblog.com, February 3, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death, Nolo

CyberDriveIllinois

Continue reading "Parents File Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Chicago Car Crash that Claimed Toddler’s Life" »

This week, Illinois State Police arrested 10 people over their alleged involvement in either in providing alcohol to minors or participating in a drinking game at a party that took place before an Illinois car crash that killed two people and seriously injured a third person on October 17.

18-year-old pickup truck driver Evan R. Ibbotson and 16-year-old passenger Jessica Brown died at the crash site. The pickup truck drove off a gravel road before overturning in a ditch. Benjamin L. Jostes, Ibbotson’s 24-year-old half-brother, sustained serious injures from when he was thrown from the truck and pinned under the wreckage.

Jostes, who is one of the people accused of providing alcohol to Ibbotson, has been charged with unlawful delivery of alcoholic liquor to a minor. Other people charged with the same crime are Ellery resident Michael T. Gill, 22, Bone Gap resident Kody J. Bailey, 23, and Albion residents Brandi Wayland, 22, Anson A. Rutger, 23, and Nathan R. Wayland. Ellery residents Ernest J. Fisher, 18, and Brian W. Winter, 19, and two minors were charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor.

Underage drinking is illegal. It can prove especially catastrophic during an Illinois car crash. Teen drivers lack the experience n the road that older motorists that have been driving longer possess. Add intoxication to the equation and the combination has claimed the lives of many teen drivers, their passengers, and people riding in other vehicles, as well as pedestrians.

You may be able to hold a drunk driver liable for your Chicago, Illinois car accident injuries. There also may be other liable parties, such as the bar that overserved an already drunk patron who then got behind the driver’s seat of a car or an adult who served alcohol to a minor.

Ten arrests in Ill. teens' Oct. deaths, Courierpress, February 11, 2010

2 Albion teens killed, 1 injured in crash, Daily Republican Register, October 19, 2009

Related Web Resources:
(720 ILCS 5/) Criminal Code of 1961, Illinois General Assembly

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Continue reading "10 People Arrested in Connection with Illinois Car Crash that Left Two Teenagers Dead" »

Three people died from injuries they sustained during a Chicago car crash on the Northwest Side on Monday night. The victims are 13-month old Joshua Molina Jr., 20-year-old Orlando Rodriguez, and 21-year-old Aldo Maldonado. Molina’s mother, Amy Alanis, survived the Illinois traffic wreck. Her boyfriend Joshua Molina, who is also the toddler's dad, was driving the car. He did not sustain serious injuries.

Their car was turning left when they were struck by a speeding Toyota Camry that had its lights turned off. The Toyota’s driver, a 55-year-old man from Skokie, had just been involved in a hit-and-run crash.

The Molinas say that their son, who was secured in a car seat, was partially thrown through the back window due to the force of the collision. He was pronounced dead at Children’s Memorial Hospital.

Police questioned the Camry driver yesterday. So far, he has been charged with negligent driving related to this deadly Chicago car accident and for driving too fast for the conditions at the time and leaving the scene of the first auto collision. Police say that before these dual car crashes, the motorist had a clean driving record since getting his driver's license in 1999.

Chicago Car Accidents
Every year, people are killed or seriously injured in Chicago, Illinois car accidents. It is life shattering to lose someone in such a senseless manner. Negligent motorists can be held liable for Chicago injury or wrongful death.

Common causes of Cook County Car Accidents:

• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Hit and run
• Driving faster than current road or weather conditions
• Text messaging
• Cell phone conversations
• Failure to obey traffic signs
• Failure to pay attention to road conditions

Three dead -- including child -- in NW Side wreck, Chicago Sun-Times, February 2, 2010

NW Side crash takes 3 lives, Chicago Tribune, February 2, 2010

Related Web Resource:
CyberDrive Illinois

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Claims Lives of 13-Month Old Boy and Two Adults" »

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the number of car accidents aren’t going down despite laws in certain US states banning handheld cell phones and texting while driving. These latest findings were based on insurance claims for accident damage from three of the states that ban handheld devices.

HLDI, which is affiliated with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, speculates that one reason the number of motor vehicle crashes isn’t being impacted by the texting and handheld cell phone bans is because it is likely that more people are using handsfree devices now that handheld ones are off limit and/or have been portrayed as more dangerous. However, HLDI and IIHS president Adrian says more research related to these new findings is required.

Earlier this month, the National Safety Council announced that about 1.6 million motor vehicle crashes a year (that’s 28% of all traffic accidents) are caused by text messaging and cell phone conversations. The US Department of Transportation reports that almost 500,000 injuries and 6,000 fatalities happen a year because of just these two distracted driving habits. This week, the federal government issued—effectively immediately—a national ban making it illegal for commercial truckers and bus drivers to text and drive at the same time.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers are very aware of the dangers posed by distracted driving. Please contact us to discuss your cell phone accident case.

Drivers no longer can plead ignorance when it comes to the dangers of talking on the cell phone, texting, or surfing the Web while driving. Distracted driving is negligent driving.

Study: Distracted driving laws don't stop crashes, Washington Post, January 29, 2010

National Safety Council Estimates that At Least 1.6 Million Crashes are Caused Each Year by Drivers Using Cell Phones and Texting, NSC, January 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Focus Driven

State Cell Phone Driving Laws, Governors Highway Safety Association

A 19-year-old driver was arrested after fleeing a Chicago car accident site on January 18. Six of the passengers who were riding in the van with him were transported to hospital. The single-vehicle collision, which involved the motorist’s van flipping over, took place on the Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago’s West Side.

There of the van’s passengers were taken to John H Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Another three were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital. A seventh passenger also ran away from the crash site.

The young driver may be charged with DUI and child endangerment because two of the vehicles passengers are minors. Other charges may also be field.

Chicago Car Accident Injuries
Injuries from a Cook County, Illinois car accident will likely require medical attention. This costs money. There is no reason why you should have to pay for medical expenses that were caused by another party’s negligence or carelessness.

Once you’ve had your injuries tended to, one of the first tasks you should attend to is to contact a Chicago, Illinois motor vehicle accident lawyer right away. The personal attorney you decide to retain can work with accident reconstructionists to determine what caused the traffic crash. Was it a negligent driver? A careless auto manufacturer? Is the Chicago intersection where the car accident occurred poorly designed?

Your Chicago injury lawyer can also work with medical professionals that can assess the seriousness of your injuries and determine how much time and how much money it will take for you to recover. It is important that you have this information before you attempt to settle your Illinois car accident case. You should let your attorney speak with the other parties’ insurers and legal representatives.

DUI, child endangerment charges pending in Ike crash, Chicago-Sun Times, January 18, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Chicago I-290

CyberDrive, Illinois

The Illinois State Police and Governor Pat Quinn are reporting that there were 943 car accidents deaths in the state last year—a definite decline from the 1,043 Illinois auto crash fatalities in 2008 and the first time since 1921 that there were under 1,000 motor vehicle fatalities.

Quinn credits the Illinois State Police, local police, and the Illinois Department of Transportation for the drop in traffic deaths. He says they have aggressively targeted violations involving speeding, improper lane use, safety belts, drunk driving, drugged driving, and following too closely in order to save more lives. He noted that programs focusing on impaired driving, teen driving, and safety belts also contributed to the decrease in motor vehicle fatalities. Hopefully the decline in Illinois traffic deaths will continue in 2010.

Two new traffic laws that could help the auto injury and death rates continue to go down are the law that bans text messaging, emailing, and going online while driving (an ordinance banning cell phone driving was passed in Chicago in October 2008) and the one that prohibits drivers 18 and under (with a graduated license or an instruction permit) from using a cell phone when operating a motor vehicle. All motorists are now prohibited from talking on a cellular device in construction and school zones.

However, in order for the laws to have an effect, motorists will have to abide by them. In addition to state efforts to reduce distracted driving crashes, the federal government is stepping up efforts to increase awareness about the dangers of texting and talking on a cell phone when operating any kind of motor vehicle. Last week, the National Safety Council and the US Department of Transportation announced that they were launching FocusDriven, a national nonprofit group focused on making more people aware of the dangers of distracted driving. The US DOT has also launched Distraction.gov, a government Web site also focused on providing information about the need for motorists to stop engaging in distracted driving.

Negligent driving that causes catastrophic Illinois auto collision can be grounds for a Chicago car accident lawsuit.

Traffic Fatalities Drop Below 1,000 for First Time Since 1921, Illinois State Police, January 4, 2010

Illinois sees drop in traffic fatalities, Goedwardsville.com, January 11, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Distraction.gov

FocusDriven

Continue reading "943 Illinois Car Crash Deaths in 2009 " »

Officials in Illinois and a number of other states are concerned over whether light-emitting diodes, called LED’s, pose a car crash risk to motorists. The LED’s, which require less energy than conventional bulbs and are easier to see, are now used in many traffic lights. However, there is growing concern that because LED’s require less heat, ice and snow can accumulate on them, rather than melting, making traffic lights harder for drivers to see.

In April, four people were injured and 34-year-old Lisa Richter died in an Illinois car accident when a pickup truck drove past a red light that had snow covering it. The pickup truck struck the woman’s vehicle as she made a left-hand turn.

Oswego Police Detective Rob Sherwood says he doesn’t think the Illinois traffic crash would have happened if the snow wasn’t obstructing the light from truck driver Alex Dyche's view. Richter’s fiancé, Robert Leathers, filed an Illinois car accident lawsuit against Dyche. Leathers sustained significant injuries during the Oswego car crash.

Meantime, the Illinois Department is pushing cities to use LED lights at traffic intersections where there are red light cameras.

Depending on the direction that snow might be blowing the wind, visibility on one side of a two-sided traffic light might be obscured by snow, making motorists more vulnerable to injury accidents. In some states, transportation officials are having workers use brooms to clear the lights' lenses. They are also considering placing sloping snow shields on the lenses of the traffic lights so the snow won’t accumulate on them.

LED Signals Seen as Potential Hazard, NY Times, January 1, 2010

Winter hazard in new LED signals, Chicago Tribune, December 29, 2009

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Illinois Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Do LEDs Increase Chicago Car Crash Risks? " »

22-year-old Nick Sord is charged with aggravated drunk driving and reckless homicide for the Cook County car crash that killed his passenger early on December 31, 2008. Sord, an Orland Park restaurateur, crashed his Mercedes SUV into a pole after a night out.

The SUV drove into a ditch before partially rolling over. According to the Cook County Sheriff’s office, Sord’s BAC was nearly three times the legal limit.

Mejia, a New Lenox resident and a University of Illinois at Chicago student, sustained multiple injuries before she as pronounced dead at a Harvey Hospital. Sord was treated and later released from an Oak Lawn hospital for cuts and a broken wrist.

Sord and Mejia were formerly used to date but her mother says they broke up in August. Their families did not approve of their relationship.

Cook County Car Accident Cases
A person accused of driving drunk can face criminal charges and be sued for Cook County personal injury or wrongful death if someone was injured or killed. Driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous and destroys the lives of the victims, their families, and the drunk driver, who not only faces prison time but must live with the guilt of knowing that someone else died because of the motorist’s recklessness and carelessness.

Just last week, Ali Hosseini, a man who was charged with drunk driving after he allegedly struck a motorcyclist in 2007, now faces upgraded charges of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide after the victim died on January 2. Keith Kreinik underwent over 20 surgeries and spent over two years in treatment for the injuries he sustained during the Chicago car accident.

Hosseini, who had been free on bond, was taken back into custody. His bond was increased to $100,000. He was allegedly under the influence of heroin, alcohol, codeine, and morphine at the time of the tragic Northwest Side crash.

High alcohol level cited in fatal crash, Chicago Tribune, January 2, 2010

Man charged in fatal crash, Southtown Star, January 2, 2010

Bond raised for man accused of DUI in 2007 crash, Chicago Breaking News, January 9, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Motor Vehicle Safety, CDC

Impaired Driving, NHTSA

Nearly six months after 36-year-old Diane Schuler drove the wrong-way on the Taconic Parkway while she was allegedly drunk and high, the family of two of the eight victims that died is filing a wrongful death lawsuit against her estate. The tragic car crash, which occurred on July 26, claimed the lives of Schuler, three of her nieces, her two-year-old daughter, 81-year-old Michael Bastardi, his 49-year-old son Michael, and their friend 74-year-old Daniel Longo. Schuler’s 5-year-old son Bryan survived the wrong-way car crash with serious injuries, including severe head trauma.

The motor vehicle accident made national headlines after Schuler drove the wrong-way for nearly two miles, disregarding signs and ignoring the warnings of other drivers. According to a toxicology report, Schuler had marijuana in her system and the equivalent of 10 liquor shots in her bloodstream. She and the kids were coming home from a camping trip when the auto collision happened. A broken bottle of vodka was discovered in the minivan’s wreckage.

The wrongful death lawsuit accuses Schuler of reckless, wanton, and willful actions, driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and disregarding other motorists' warnings that she was driving her minivan the wrong-way. According to the civil complaint, the Bastardis experienced mental trauma, terror, pain, suffering, and serious personal injuries prior to their death. Schuler’s brother Warren Hance is also a wrongful death defendant. He owned the minivan that Schuler was driving.

Schuler’s husband Daniel refuses to accept autopsy findings that his wife was drunk and high. He says an undiagnosed medical problem may have caused her erratic behavior that day. However, according to one report, he told police his wife occasionally smoked pot to alleviate stress.

Suit Filed in Wrong-Way Crash That Killed 8 on Taconic, NY Times, December 10, 2009

Loyal To The End: Grieving Schuler Denies Reports, WCBSTV, August 7, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The family of 17-year-old Cameron Godee is suing 18-year-old Onofrio J. Lorusso for Illinois wrongful death. Godee died in a Kane County car crash on June 14 while riding in Lorusso’s SUV. Now, the West Chicago victim’s family is seeking $6.175 M in wrongful death damages. Godee and Lorusso, a Wayne resident, had just graduated from St. Charles East High School.

According to police, Lorusso’s blood-alcohol concentration was almost three times the legal limit and he also had marijuana in his system when he lost control of his vehicle and struck two trees. Godee was riding in the front-passenger seat. The two teenagers riding in the back seat sustained injuries.

The Illinois car crash lawsuit is accusing Lorusso of negligent driving and willfully ignoring his passengers’ safety. In the criminal case against him, Lorusso has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of drugs, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless homicide, and driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. He is currently free on bond.

One of the passengers that survived the catastrophic Illinois car wreck is suing Lorusso for Kane County personal injury. 17-year-old Chelsea Mertz, a St. Charles resident, sustained a traumatic brain injury and broke her jaw during the June car wreck. Her Illinois car accident claims that Lorusso was driving over 40 mph above the speed limit, on the wrong side of the road, and was under the influence of pot and alcohol. Lorusso’s father is also a defendant of the lawsuit, which accuses him of neglecting to prevent his intoxicated son from driving the other teens home.

Mertz is undergoing rehabilitative therapy to treat her brain injury. Doctors had to surgically rewire her jaw. It is unclear whether the effects of her traumatic brain injury are permanent.

Driver in fatal crash sued for millions, The Chronicle, December 22, 2009

Survivor of fatal St. Charles crash sues driver, Daily Herald, August 7, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Teen Drivers, Motor Vehicle Safety

CyberDrive Illinois

The family of a Marengo motorist who died in a Sugar Grove Township motor vehicle crash is suing Kane County and Elburn resident Linda L. Knotts for Illinois wrongful death. 54 year-old William McKenzie died when Knott’s truck crashed into his Ford van on March 20 on Route 47.

The family’s Illinois wrongful death lawsuit is holding Kane County responsible for the Sugar Grove Township car accident because cops did not arrest Knots on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs when she was briefly apprehended just 15 minutes before the deadly Illinois traffic accident. McKenzie was pronounced dead at the Sugar Grove crash site.

Cops stopped Knotts after receiving complaints that she was driving erratically, including operating her vehicle on the shoulder of Route 47. Her pickup truck struck Mackenzie’s van head-on when she drove into oncoming traffic.

Knotts was initially cited for driving in the wrong lane and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident but the charges against her have been dropped for now. After hearing police testimony in May, a coroner's jury blamed Knotts for McKenzie's death, which they called a homicide.

Illinois Car Accident Lawsuits
There is so much to consider when filing an Illinois car accident lawsuitt An experienced Chicago car crash lawyer will know what to do to successfully pursue your recovery, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, negotiating with the other party’s insurer, and filing your personal injury/wrongful death claim/lawsuit on time.

Obtaining compensation for your car crash injuries or your loved one’s death can help you cover accidents costs, medical expenses, and other damages and losses.

Kane County sued over fatal crash, Daily Herald, December 17, 2009

Man dies in 2-car crash, Northwest Herald, March 21, 2009

Related Web Resource:
Kane County, Illinois

Beginning New Year’s Day, it will no longer be legal for Illinois motorists to text message while driving. While this distracted driving activity has been banned in Chicago for over a year, the prohibition will now be statewide.

Authorities will be allowed to stop a driver if they suspect that he or she is texting. They also can look at your PDA or cell phone to determine whether you were texting, IMing, or online.

In the last year, safety and transportation officials have spoken about the dangers that texting while driving presents, including increasing a driver’s risk of causing a deadly motor vehicle crash. On Tuesday, the Obama Administration launched distraction.gov, which discusses the dangers caused by distracted driving. According to distraction.gov, the three main types of distractions while driving are:

Manual – results in the motorist taking at least one hand off the steering wheel.
Visual – the driver’s eyes are off the road.
Cognitive – the driver’s mind is not focused on driving.

Texting while driving involves at least two of these distractions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says over one-fourth of the 1.2 million auto collisions that occur each year in the US involve a distracted driver.

Our Chicago, Illinois car accident lawyers have blogged in the past about the risks of texting while driving and the statistics which support the claim that way too many people are getting hurt or dying because drivers can’t control the compulsion to send and receive texts just long enough to arrive safely at their destinations. We are hoping that more drivers will abide by this new ban and refrain from texting while driving.

Unfortunately, not only do many texting motorists forget that this seemingly harmless activity can kill people, but also they can be held liable for Chicago, Illinois personal injury or wrongful death if they cause a catastrophic car crash that hurts or kills another person.

Obama administration unveils new effort to combat distracted driving, DetNews, December 29, 2009

How to deal with the new Illinois ban on texting while driving, Daily Herald, December 28, 2009

Related Web Resources:

Distraction.gov

Scary statistics on teen texting, calling while driving, The Seattle Times, November 17, 2009

Cell Phone Driving Laws, Governors Highway Safety Association

Continue reading "Illinois Texting While Driving Ban Goes Into Effect on January 1, 2010" »

A $1 million Chicago car accident settlement has been reached between two former best friends. Marissa Palmer, a 22-year-old Buffalo Grove woman, sustained a closed head injury, road rash injuries, spinal, rib, and neck fractures, and lacerated her liver and spleen in 2006 after she was ejected from the Jeep Cherokee that Dana Horowitz, a Highland Park resident, was driving.

The two women were University of Wisconsin undergrad students at the time of the catastrophic three-vehicle crash that took place in snowy weather. They were traveling from Madison to Highland Park on icy roads.

According to witnesses, Horowitz was operating her motor vehicle at a speed of about 60 mph while other motorists were driving at approximately half that speed. She lost control of her Jeep, drove over the median, and struck two other autos.

While a motorist is not responsible for poor weather conditions and the hazards that they can create on wet, icy, or foggy roads, a driver can be held liable for Chicago personal injury if the motorist fails to modify his/her driving to prevent an Illinois car accident from happening.

A driver may have to reduce the vehicle's speed to lower than the posted speed limit to prevent his/vehicle from sliding uncontrollably on icy or wet roads. Texting or talking on a cell phone while driving when the road conditions are poor can cause tragic car accidents.

The party responsible for your Chicago, Illinois motor vehicle accident may be the driver of another vehicle, the driver of the vehicle that you are a passenger in, or another person or entity.

$1M settlement for Buffalo Grove woman in icy-road crash, Chicago Sun-Times, December 19, 2009

$1M settlement for woman in icy-road crash, WBBMNewsRadio780, December 19, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Winter Driving Tips, AAA

CyberDrive, Illinois

Assistant State’s Attorney John Carroll of Cook County says that Lockport Police Officer Edward Stapinski’s blood alcohol was .223 when he allegedly caused a three-auto crash on the Stevenson Expressway on Sunday night. Stapinski, 34, was not on duty when the deadly collision happened. Killed in the tragic Chicago car accident was Man K. Wong, 29.

According Illinois State Police, Stapinski was headed south on Interstate Highway 55 close to Cicero Avenue when his vehicle drove onto the left shoulder and hit the concrete median barrier. It then went over the barrier, striking Wong’s auto in a head-on crash. Next, the off-duty cop’s auto rolled over, hitting a third vehicle.

According to witnesses, the off-duty police driver was operating his vehicle at a speed of about 80 mph when the deadly Cook County car accident happened. Police who were at the scene say that the 34-year-old cop exhibited slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and smelled of alcohol. Stapinski declined to be tested for alcohol while at the crash site but he took a blood tested at the hospital where he was admitted for his injuries.

Wong was pronounced dead in Mt. Sinai Hospital. The third motorist was not injured. On Monday night, Stapinski was charged with drunken driving and reckless homicide.

Illinois Drunk Driving Accidents
While the number of Illinois drunk driving deaths has gone down (439 alcohol-related Illinois car crashes in 2007 and 362 drunk driving fatalities in 2008), drunk driving accidents continue to claim too many lives. A drunken motorist who causes a deadly car crash can be held liable for Illinois personal injury or wrongful death.

Especially during the holiday season, when people are busy going from one holiday event to the next and traveling to spend time with family, our Chicago, Illinois car accident law firm would like to remind you to refrain from driving while drunk.

Off-duty Lockport cop charged with reckless homicide, DUI, Chicago Tribune, December 22, 2009

Lockport Officer Was 3 Times Legal Limit, WBBM780, December 22, 2009

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Intensive Holiday Drunk & Impaired Driving Crackdown & Advertising Blitz, NHTSA, December 7, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Fatalities and Fatality Rates in Alcohol- Impaired-Driving Crashes by State, 2007-2008, NHTSA, December 2009 (PDF)

DUI Information for Adults, Illinois State Police

A woman is suing a motorist for personal injuries that she and her son suffered during an Illinois car crash. Philicia Holman is seeking over $150,000 plus other relief and costs.

According to Holman, she and her son, O’Brien Pigee, were in Alton late in the afternoon of October 30, 2008 when they stopped for traffic. She says that is when Matthew Sanders, driving a 1999 GM Suburban, rear-ended the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu that they were riding in.

Holman says she sustained shoulder, neck, abdomen, and back injuries from the Alton car accident. She also has experienced headaches, lost income, can no longer participate in certain activities, and incurred medical expenses. She also says that she and her son sustained injuries to muscles, membranes, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, tissues, as well as became disordered, sore, sick, and lame and experienced great anguish and pain.

Holman is accusing Sanders of not seeing her auto, failing to properly controlling his motor vehicle, neglecting to drive at a reasonable speed, failing to maintain a safe distance from her auto, and neglecting to slow down to avoid causing a car accident.

Rear-End Accidents
A rear-end crash can cause the occupants in the vehicle that is struck to propel their heads forward at a speed that is 10 times or greater than the force of gravity. Rear-end crashes can cause back injuries, neck injuries, shoulder injuries, whiplash, cervical spine injuries, disc injuries, nerve injuries, joint injuries, ligament injuries, and other serious injuries. These types of injuries are very painful and debilitating. A rear-end car crash victim may have to undergo surgery, take pain medication, and spend months in physical therapy. In some cases, the injuries may be permanent.

Mother sues driver over injuries she and son sustained in accident, The Record, December 16, 2009

Cervical spine injuries and whiplash caused by rear end collision< SRISD

Related Web Resources:
NHTSA

CyberDrive Illinois

Douglas Ault is suing St. Clair County and its employee, Daniel E. Stockett, for personal injury. Ault hurt his back and neck during an Illinois car accident because he claims Stockett, a county employee, was driving negligently.

The Illinois traffic crash occurred in Shiloh. Ault says Stockett was driving too fast, did not maintain a proper lookout, was not driving with adequate brakes, neglected to properly apply the brakes, failed to swerve or stop his vehicle to prevent the Illinois car crash from happening, neglected to keep his auto under control, did not yield the right-of-way, and made a u-turn in a manner that was not safe.

Ault says that because of the Illinois car accident, he became disordered, sick, and sore, and his nervous system suffered a shock. Because his earning capacity was impaired, he lost significant income. He cites significant property damage to his vehicle.

Ault is seeking over $100,000 and costs.

Obeying the rules of the road can prevent Illinois traffic crashes. If you were injured because a motorist failed to stop at a red light, made an illegal or unsafe U-turn, disobeyed a traffic signal, did not yield the right-of-way, or committed another traffic violation, you may have grounds for filing a Chicago car accident lawsuit against a liable motorist. Sometimes, there are other factors that contribute to causing an Illinois traffic crash. There may be other parties who should be held liable for your personal injuries.

A Chicago car accident victim can incur medical expenses, recovery costs, lost income, and other expenses because of the Illinois motor vehicle collision. Obtaining Chicago injury recover can help you with your accident expenses.

St. Clair County and driver sued in U-turn accident, The Record, December 10, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accident Defenses: Contributory and Comparative Negligence

Illinois Department of Transportation

The siblings of Lindsey Arnold-Zimmer and Adam Zimmer are suing two drivers for Illinois wrongful death. The couple was riding in a vehicle on Illinois Route 111 on the afternoon of February 21 when they were rear-ended by a vehicle, driven by Donald Canterbery at a speed of at least 90 mph. The collision caused their vehicle to spin out of control some 122 feet before it crossed into the northbound lane and was struck by a vehicle driven by Tiffany Ogara. Both Canterbery and Ogara were allegedly drunk when they struck the Zimmers' vehicle.

Lindsey and Adam died from their Illinois car accident injuries, as did their unborn baby. Now, Theresa Arnold and Christopher Zimmer, the couple’s siblings, are suing for loss of society, loss of companionship, wrongful death, and the pain and suffering that the Zimmers and their baby suffered, in additional to medical expenses incurred prior to their deaths.

The defendants named in the Illinois car crash lawsuit are Canterbery, Ogara, Joshua Ogara, Panero (as Smokey Joe's), Sarah L. Perrigan (doing business as The Village Inn), and MasterCars Company.

Canterbery’s blood alcohol concentration was .246 and Ogara’s BAC was .112 at the time of the deadly Illinois car crash. Cannabis and cocaine were also found in Ogara’s blood.

The plaintiffs are accusing Canterbery of drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding, neglecting to decrease his speed or properly control the auto, driving without a license, and driving even though his license was revoked for past drunk driving charges. They contend that Ogara did not properly control her auto or decrease its speed to avoid being involved in a crash. They also claim she was negligent for driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Following the deadly Illinois car accident, Canterbery was charged with numerous felony crimes, including four counts of aggravated driving with a blood level of .08 or more that results in death, three counts of reckless homicide, three counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, and eight counts of aggravated driving with a blood level count of .08 or more causing great bodily harm. He also was charged with a misdemeanor for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Suit filed over Route 111 deaths; Couple and unborn child killed, The Record, December 1, 2009

Granite City teacher, wife and unborn child killed in car accident, Suburban Journals, February 25, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Wrongful Death Act

CyberDrive Illinois

A number of people were killed and injured in Chicago car accidents in the city and suburbs over the holiday weekend. According to the National Safety Commission, the Thanksgiving weekend is considered the deadliest holiday of the year for motorists, with 389 US car accident fatalities and thousands of injuries occurring last year. To view our Chicago car accident law firm’s blog post about the dangers of being on the road during Thanksgiving, click here.

Here is rundown of some of the injuries and deaths, which were reported in the Chicago Sun-Times:

On Thanksgiving Day, 21-year-old Elias Nunez died in a Chicago pedestrian accident when a vehicle that had just hit another auto on S. Cicero Avenue struck him. Nunez was transported to an Oak Lawn hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead several hours later. Four other people were injured in the Chicago traffic accident. The driver accused of causing the Cook County car accident, 31-year-old Anthony Morales, was charged with felony aggravated DUI. He also received citations for failure to reduce speed, following too closely, and leaving the scene of an accident where property damage was involved.

On Black Friday, a woman was injured in an Aurora pedestrian accident when a car struck her. Many people were out shopping that day. Also on Friday, eight people were injured in a South Side car crash when the Buick they were riding hit a tree. Six of the Chicago car crash victims were minors.

On Saturday, a 63-year-old Joliet motorist was declared dead at the crash site when he was ejected from his vehicle. Spero Zappas lost control of his vehicle when he tried passing a semi-truck on Interstate 55 while driving at a high speed. His vehicle flew into a ditch and he was thrown from the auto.

Also on Saturday, 29-year-old Miguel Gomez-Ortiz was killed in an Aurora motorcycle accident when his bike collided with a Chevrolet SUV. Gomez-Ortiz was dislodged from his bike during the traffic crash.

Early Sunday, Yorkville driver Dustin Avenarius died when his pickup truck went off the road in a Kendall County truck accident. The pickup truck hit a tree before catching fire.

Chicago Car Accidents
There are many reasons why Chicago car accidents. Distracted driving, poorly designed roads, defective auto parts, drunk driving, and bad weather or road conditions are just some of the causes of Illinois traffic crashes. Before you throw in the towel on your Chicago motor vehicle crash case, you should speak with an experienced Chicago injury law firm about your case. There may be parties that you should hold liable for your Illinois injury accident.

6 dead, more injured in holiday weekend crashes, Chicago Sun-Times, November 30, 2009

Drive Carefully to Prevent Chicago Car Crashes During the Thanksgiving Weekend, MalmanLaw, November 18, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Justia

Tort, Cornell University Law School

Contrary to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s findings that less than 2,000 people a year are injured by power windows, KidsAndCars.org has released research showing that tens of millions of vehicle occupants have been injured by these automatic windows. Harris Interactive administered the research, which was commissioned by KidsandCars.org, in October. Among the findings:

• More than 22 million US adults say they were hurt or know someone who was injured in a power window accident.
• Over 13 million adults say they hurt someone by shutting a car window.
• Over 10 million adults say they got hurt when someone else shut a vehicle window.

Basing its conclusions on its own findings, the NHTSA recently stated in its proposed rulemaking that auto reversing systems don’t have to be mandated. Now, KidsandCars.org wants NHTSA to make sure that ARS are required on all vehicles sold in this country. ARS stops a window from shutting when anything obstructs its path.

Auto manufacturers are aware that power windows can cause serious personal injury. It is their responsibility to design and manufacture auto parts in a manner that doesn't increase the chances of injury or death. Not installing ARS is one way to manufacture a power window that can cause accidental injury or death. Allowing the window to be raised via toggle switch can be dangerous as well, especially if a young child accidentally leans on it while sticking his or her head or finger out the window as it closes.

The majority of power windows use an upward force of 30 to 80 pounds. Only 22 pounds of force are required to hurt or suffocate a baby. The NHTSA and KidsandCars.org are both in agreement that about five kids a year are killed in power-window accidents.

A car manufacturer can be held liable for Illinois products liability if a person is injured by a defective auto part.

New Data Refutes NHTSA Findings, Exposes Real Danger of Vehicle Power Windows, Reuters, November 2, 2009

Power Windows Pose Great Risk to Children, Says Consumer Group, The New York Times, November 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Kids and Cars

NHTSA

Continue reading "Chicago Products Liability?: KidsandCars.Org Says Tens of Millions of People Injured by Motor Vehicle Power Windows " »

The National Safety Commission says that if last year’s car crash statistics are any indication, then Thanksgiving weekend ’09 will be the deadliest holiday of the year for motorists. The Thanksgiving holiday season begins on Wednesday, November 25 at 6pm and ends on midnight on Sunday, November 29.

In 2008, there were 389 car accident deaths and thousands of injuries over this long weekend. Many of the people who died were not using their seat belts when the deadly auto crashes happened.

Wearing one’s seat belt is obviously one way to decrease the chances of serious injury or death during a Chicago motor vehicle crash whether the collision occurs over the Thanksgiving weekend or during any other time of the year.

Other ways to avoid becoming involved in a car crash this Thanksgiving weekend:

• Don’t speed.
• Be mindful of heavy traffic—especially if you head off for the holidays on Wednesday night. Try to be patient and don’t engage in aggressive driving behavior.
• If possible, leave before rush hour.
• Don't hurry to arrive at your destination.
• Trade off driving duties with another passenger if you have a long way to go.
• Pay attention to the road and be mindful of current driving and weather conditions—adjust your driving accordingly.
• Don’t text or talk on your cell phone while driving.
• If you have too much to drink during your Thanksgiving meal, don’t drive drunk.
• Also, if the tryptophan in the turkey makes you drowsy, try not to drive or be extra careful when driving.

You don’t want to ruin the holiday weekend by being involved in and/or causing a catastrophic Illinois car crash.

Drowsy driving, distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and driver inattention can cause serious Chicago injury accidents.

hanksgiving Traffic Safety 2009, National Safety Commission, November 17, 2009

Practice safe driving this Thanksgiving holiday, Northern Star

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, AAA Exchange

Illinois Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Drive Carefully to Prevent Chicago Car Crashes During the Thanksgiving Weekend" »

Two people died from injuries they sustained in a Chicago car crash on Saturday evening when a Chevy Malibu ran a red light at State and 75th Streets. The car struck a Ford sedan that was turning from 75th onto State, which then hit an Infiniti. Meantime, the Malibu struck another Chevrolet.

Killed in the Chicago car accident were 27-year-old Christopher Chatman, who was driving the Ford, and Ardella Wells, who was riding in the Malibu that caused the multi-vehicle crash. The 87-year-old victim is the mother of Darnell Wells, who was driving the Malibu.

Charges are pending against the 52-year-old driver, who police say was at fault. They have already cited him for driving without insurance and disobeying a red light.

Less than 24 hours later, another Chicago car collision on the Southwest Side, this one close to 48th Street and Cicero Avenue, left seven people injured. Four of the accident victims were initially listed in serious-to-critical condition.

Involvement in a serious traffic crash can result in catastrophic injuries. Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, organ damage, and burn injuries can be very costly and your insurance may not be able to cover all medical and recovery costs.

Seven hurt in Southwest Side crash, Sun Times, November 15, 2009

Two killed in four-car crash on State Street, ABC 7 News, November 15, 2009

Related Web Resource:
Car Accidents Caused by Negligence, Nolo

Continue reading "Chicago Car Crash on South Side Claims Two Lives " »

A single mother and her four sons, ages 8 to 16, must find another place to live after a CTA bus that crashed into their home damaged the residence to the point that it had to be raised. The Chicago motor vehicle accident happened at around 5:40 am on Wednesday at 115th Street and Vincennes Avenue in Morgan Park.

Four people who were in the CTA bus were injured. All of them, including bus driver 36-year-old Zoye Sanders, were taken to hospitals in good condition. Sanders was cited for negligent driving.

The bus crashed through the bedroom’s brick wall and a portion of the bathroom. The mother who lived in the house, Lasharon Smith, was unable to get a lot of the family’s belonging because officials would only let her enter the front of the residence. The family is staying with relatives.

A neighbor of Smith’s, Jerome Freeman, says this is the third Chicago motor vehicle crash this year where a property on the road has been involved. He says that his fence was hit in a Chicago car crash in January. Smith’s fence was hit by another car a few months ago.

Involvement in a Chicago bus crash can result in serious injuries that can result in costly medical bills. This is one reason it is important to determine whether other parties are liable for causing your injuries.

Because CTA buses are commercial vehicles, their drivers owe their passengers a duty of care, both professionally and legally, to safely take them where they need to go. When failure to fulfill that duty results in injury, death, or damages, the injured party may have grounds for a Chicago bus accident case.

CTA driver who crashed into home cited for negligence, WGNTV, November 11, 2009

Driver ticketed after CTA bus slams into house, Southtown Star, November 11, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Bus Safety Rules Are Long Overdue, Board Says, Washington Post, April 22, 2009

National Transportation Safety Board

Chicago Transit Authority

Continue reading "Home damaged in Chicago bus crash is razed after officials deem it structurally unsound " »

November 2 – 8 was Drowsing Driving Prevention Week. Designated as such by the National Sleep Foundation, the weeklong campaign focused on making more drivers aware of how dangerous it is to drive while drowsy or tired.

Studies reveal that a person who has been awake for 18 hours exhibits impairment equal to someone whose blood alcohol level is .05% to .10%. Driving while sleepy or tired impairs a motorist’s reflexes and ability to pay attention, while causing blurry vision if not loss of consciousness during even just a few seconds of unintentional sleep. Considering that it takes just a few seconds for a tragic Chicago car crash to happen, drowsy driving can prove catastrophic.

Groups especially at-risk for drowsy driving are commercial drivers, people with untreated sleep disorders (millions of people may not even be aware they are suffering from slip apnea), young motorists, and people who work the graveyard shift. People on long trips, motorists who are medicated or did not get enough sleep, drunk drivers, solo drivers on dark roads or on those lacking scenery, and late night drivers are also at risk for falling asleep at the wheel.

Many people don’t realize that drowsy driving can be deadly. A new National Sleep Foundation poll reports that 54 million motorists drive while drowsy at least once a month. 105 million drivers report driving while sleepy at least once in the last 12 months.

National Sleep Foundation Chairman Thomas Balkin says contrary to common belief, motorists can’t just will themselves to stay awake, which accounts for the 1.9 million car accidents and near-collisions a year involving a drowsy driver.

On a positive note,1.9 million motor vehicle crashes that can be prevent in the future if only motorists would stop drowsy driving.

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, National Sleep Foundation (PDF)

1.9 Million Drivers Have Fatigue-Related Car Crashes or Near Misses Each Year, Reuters, November 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Drowsy Driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Drowsy Driving, National Safety Council

Continue reading "Decrease the Number of Chicago Car Accidents by Not Driving While Drowsy" »

A 42-year-old woman was killed on Tuesday after her vehicle was struck by a minivan driven by a drug suspect trying to get away from police. Valerie Davis leaves behind her family, including a teenage son.

The fatal Chicago car accident happened after 7am when police pulled over the van during a drug enforcement stop. The cops say the suspects in the vehicle tried to strike the Chicago police officers before hitting the police cars, running a red light, striking the vehicle that Davis was in, and hitting another vehicle.

The two suspects then fled the scene on foot before they were arrested.

Police say they were not chasing the van when the auto crash that claimed Davis’s life happened.

High-speed police chases, with one car fleeing and the other vehicle attempting to keep up can be very dangerous for the participants and others. People have been known to get hurt during Chicago police pursuits. Cops are required to exercise caution during chases so that the suspects and innocent bystanders are not accidentally struck during a motor vehicle chase or shot during any exchange of fire.

On Monday, a high-speed police pursuit resulted in two Chicago auto collisions. One traffic collision involved the vehicle carrying four suspects. The other motor vehicle crash involved an auto trying to get out of the way during the Chicago police chase. The accident occurred around 1:45 am.

A number of people were hospitalized. One victim reportedly said he couldn’t feel anything in his legs. Another person, who was ejected from the auto, broke his pelvis and sustained massive head injuries.

Woman killed after van tries to hit police, strikes four cars, Chicago Sun-Times, November 3, 2009

1 dead, 2 arrested after chase, crash, ABC Local, November 3, 2009

Car crashes trying to avoid police chase on South Side, Chicago Breaking News, November 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Chicago Police Pursuits (PDF)

Car Accidents, Justia

Continue reading "Woman Dies in Chicago Car Crash After Driver of Minivan Trying to Flee From Police Rams into Her Vehicle " »

In Tazewell County, Illinois last week, 23-year-old Morton driver Jesse A. Horn was charged with three counts of aggravated driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs resulting in an accident causing great bodily harm, unlawful possession of a converted vehicle, and driving on a suspended license. All of these offenses are felonies.

Horn is accused of causing a three-vehicle Illinois car crash while driving a pickup truck on US Route 150 on September 16. Court documents indicate that Horn had just left the Morton Pumpkin Festival where he had been doing community service for a past DUI conviction when the deadly collision occurred.

12 people were sent to the hospital after Horn, who witnesses claim was driving the wrong way up a lane, allegedly rear-ended a Toyota truck and struck an approaching Jeep. Court records note that one car accident victim sustained vertebrae and rib fractures. Another victim, who broke his arm in three places, had to undergo surgery so pins could be installed to fix the injury.

Horn’s BAC at the time of the car accident was over four times the legal drinking and driving limit at .327. Drug testing also revealed that Horn had taken cannabis.

2008 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Facts (NHTSA):
• 11,773 US drunk driving-related deaths.
• That’s one drunk driving death every 45 minutes.
• 8,027 drunk drivers died.
• 1,875 of the victims that died were riding in a car with a drunk driver.
• 1,179 victims were riding in the other vehicle involved in the drunk driving accident.
• 692 of the people that died were not riding a vehicle.

On a positive note, there were less alcohol-impaired fatalities last year than there were in 2007 when 13,041 people died because drivers were drunk. That said, too many people are still dying in Chicago car crashes because of this type of negligent driving behavior.

Morton man charged in crash that injured 12, Pekin Times, October 30, 2009

Alcohol-Impaired Driving, 2008 Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Influenced Driving, Illinois State Police

Drunk Driving

Continue reading "Morton Driver That Caused Three-Vehicle Illinois Car Crash Had BAC of .327" »

The 4-year-old Fox Lake toddler who was seriously injured in a Lake County, Illinois car accident last August is still recovering. Skiler Wright was hit by a car that was backing out of a driveway. The little girl got caught under the gas tank, muffler, and bumper and was dragged 200 feet.

Skiler, who weighs just 24 pounds, sustained a skull injury, lost a significant portion of her scalp, and injured her shoulder in the Fox Lake pedestrian accident. She already has had eight surgeries.

The medical bills for her treatments are racking up. Skiler’s dad, an iron foundry worker, is on short-term medical leave and her mother is a pregnant, stay-at-home mom. Their health insurance coverage is only taking care of a portion of the little girl’s medical treatments.

This week, the driver of the vehicle that struck Skiler was charged with a traffic violation and a misdemeanor. Pamela Simone, a 36-year-old Fox Lake resident, posted bond after turning herself into the authorities.

Simone was driving on a revoked license at the time of the catastrophic Lake County, Illinois car crash. Previous to losing her license she was charged four times with driving on a suspended license.

2008 Children (Under age 15) Traffic Safety Facts (NHTSA):

• 1,347 child traffic deaths
• 193,000 child traffic injuries
• About 4 child traffic deaths/day
• 270 child pedestrian deaths
• 13,000 child pedestrian injuries
• 44 Illinois child pedestrian deaths

Drivers must exercise caution anytime they are operating a motor vehicle so that they don’t accidentally strike a pedestrian. Kids are especially at risk of sustaining serious injuries during an Illinois pedestrian accident, which is why a motorist needs to look out for them when backing out of driveways, crossing intersections, or driving through areas where there are schools.

Woman who struck, dragged toddler charged with misdemeanor, Daily Herald, October 29, 2009

Fox Lake toddler recovering after being dragged 200 feet by car, Daily Herald, October 22, 2009

Lake County, Illinois Car Accident Leaves 3-Year-Old in Critical Condition, Malman Law, August 26, 2009

Related Web Resources:
NHTSA

Backover Accidents, Kids and Cars/Consumers Union

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the state’s new graduated licensing requirements appear to be working. Between January and October, 60 teen drivers died in Illinois car crashes. That’s a significant decrease from 2007, the last year before the GDL was enacted, when 127 teen drivers died.

Per Illinois’s GDL:

• Teen drivers must now have a learner’s permit for six month instead of just three.

• Teen drivers are not allowed to use cell phones while driving until they turn 19.

• Illinois’s graduated licensing program creates two young driver stages: the learner stage and the intermediate stage.

• The GDL prohibits both learner teen drivers and intermediate teen drivers from operating a motor vehicle after 10p during the week and after 11p on Fridays and Saturdays.

A teen who has just gotten a driver’s license can only have one teen passenger in the car with him or her during the first year.

Young drivers in general are known to be more easily distracted than older drivers. They also don’t have as much driving experience and are more likely to text while driving. Having a group of teens in the car can be distracting for the teen driver, who may forget to pay attention to the road and other vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 164 people died in Illinois car accidents involving a young driver last year. The NHTSA classifies people between the ages of 15 and 20 as young drivers.

80 of the victims were the young drivers. 39 of the people that died were riding in the young drivers’ cars. 37 of the Illinois traffic accident victims that died were riding in the other vehicles involved. 8 of the Illinois auto accident victims were not riding in or on a vehicle when the deadly teen driving accidents happen.

Teen driving law appears to work, Galesburg.com, October 23, 2009

Young Drivers, Traffic Safety Facts 2008, NHTSA (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Graduated Driver License, Cyberdrive Illinois

Illinois Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Graduated Licensing Requirements Lower Number of Illinois Teen Car Crashes, Says Department of Transportation" »

Two parents are suing driver Billie L. Varner for Illinois personal injury. Varner, allege Michael S. Overby and Tiffany Blomgren, ran a red light on June 27, 2008, striking the vehicle driven by Overby. Also riding in the car with Overby were his children, Alexandria and Paige Overby, and Blomgren’s children, Joshua and Michaela Blomgren. The four children are minors.

The plaintiffs contend that because of the Illinois car crash, Michael Overby became disabled and ill, sustained back injuries, and continues to experience pain. His vehicle was damaged during the traffic crash.

According to the Illinois injuries to minor lawsuit, the kids experienced disfigurement, disability, and pain and suffering. As a result of the plaintiffs' injuries, the car crash victims incurred medical expenses.

The Illinois car accident lawsuit claims Varner neglected to obey a traffic control device, was driving too fast, failed to maintain a proper lookout, and did not stop to avoid causing the motor vehicle collision. The plaintiffs are seeking over $50,000 from Varner.

In another Illinois car crash alleging failure to obey a stop sign, Amber N. Hosford says Shirley Hook failed to yield when she struck Hosford’s vehicle on February 24.

Hosford says that because of the traffic accident, she injured nerves, ligaments, bones, discs, and muscles in her body, back, and neck, as well as suffered from bruising. She contends her medical expenses are a result of her injuries. She also says she remains unable to tend to her regular responsibilities. Hosford is seeking over $50,000 from Hook.

Failure to Obey a Stop Sign
Not stopping or yielding at a stop sign can have catastrophic consequences for the vehicle occupants and pedestrians involved. Traffic signs exist to regulate traffic, warn of hazards, and prevent Illinois car accidents from happening. Failure to obey a traffic sign or a traffic light can be grounds for a Chicago car accident case if someone gets hurt or dies.

Driver failed to obey stop sign, say parents in suit, Madison Record, October 23, 2009

Alton accident is subject of suit, Madison Record, October 23, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

2009 Rules of the Road, CyberDriveIllinois

A baby boy was delivered prematurely at a hospital today, after his pregnant mother was killed in a Chicago car accident on the West Side. Kim Brown, 27, was walking with her friend and the latter’s two children at around 11:30am at Washington and Kostner when a van, which had just collided with another van, jumped the cub and struck them. The other woman, 30, and her two daughters, ages 1 and 3, were also injured.

Doctors say it will take 24 hours to determine the premature infant’s chances of survival. The baby sustained injuries during the Chicago car crash and is in “extremely critical” condition. Brown has five other children.

Police are investigating the catastrophic Chicago car accident, which, unfortunately, was not the only traffic accident today that caused injuries.

There people inside a North Shore tanning parlor got hurt when an 85-year-old driver accidentally stepped on the gas pedal and drove into Wilmette store.

Two of the injury victims were patrons who were struck by the vehicle. They were taken to Evanston Hospital. The third Chicago car accident victim, a Palm Beach Tan patron, got pinned between the wall and front counter.

The motorist was trying to park his car when the auto accident happened.

Pregnant woman dies in crash, baby survives, WGN, October 21, 2009

Illinois Department of Transportation

NHTSA

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Kills Pregnant Pedestrian and Injures Three Others" »

Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the number one cause of teen deaths. National Teen Driver Safety Week was created to raise awareness about the dangers of teen driving and to promote solutions to prevent teen driving accidents from happening.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says teen motorists are involved in three to five times as many deadly car accidents as adult drivers. Distracted driving and drunk driving, both negligent acts, continue to be the leading factors in teen car crashes.

Teen driving crashes can lead to Chicago car accident lawsuits if one of the motorists involved contributed to causing the traffic crash through negligence, recklessness, or carelessness.

Today, Vlingo Corp. released new information about the distracted driving habits of teenagers. According to its Vlingo Consumer Mobile Messaging Habits Report, 60% of teenagers say they read text messages when behind the steering wheel of a car. The report also noted that while 62% of teen drivers support making it illegal to text message while driving, many of them are in favor of technology that would make it safe to do so. Cell phone use is now the number one medium of communication for teenagers.

As we blogged about in an earlier post on our Chicago car accident attorney blog site, two other studies have found that teen drivers who either owned a vehicle or can use one whenever they want to were more likely to become involved in a motor vehicle crash than young drivers who had limited access to a vehicle and/or whose parents supervised their driving habits.

Clearly there are ways to prevent Chicago car accidents involving teen drivers from happening.

Vlingo Reveals New Data Regarding Teen Driver Distractions as Nation Prepares for National Teen Driver Safety Week, Reuters, October 19, 2009

National Teen Driver Safety Week, Keeping Young Drivers Safe

Related Web Resources:
Teen Driving: Safety Tips for Parents, Make It Better, October 2009

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Preventing Chicago Car Accidents: National Teen Driver Safety Week Runs from October 18 – 24" »

Police have arrested one of the drivers involved in Sunday’s Park Ridge car accident with aggravated DUI. If convicted, Ibrahim Y. Yaro, a Chicago resident, could face up to 28 years in prison.

The deadly Cook County car crash in the Chicago suburb took place after 2am at Riverside Drive and Oakton Street. Killed in the Park Ridge traffic accident where Des Plaines resident Younan Chalabi, 25, and Morton Grove resident Christine Merza, 37. The two of them where passengers in the Mercedes that was involved in the Illinois car wreck with a Nissan.

According to the Nissan’s driver, she had a green light when her car drove into the intersection. Her auto hit the Mercedes’s passenger side. The drivers of the Nissan and the Mercedes and two other passengers were taken to hospitals for non-life threatening injuries.

Aggravated driving under the influence charges were filed in another Chicago area car accident. The Chicago car crash took place on the North Side on August 1 at around 3:25am at the Wilson and Ashland avenues intersection.

47-year-old Raquel Wright was charged with aggravated DUI causing the accidental death of Alexander Foamette, a 24-year-old motorcyclist. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office says that Foamette died from multiple injuries.

At the Chicago motorcycle accident site, Wright reportedly told police she didn’t see the motorcyclist. She accused the rider of red light running. After she failed a field sobriety test she was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for further testing.

Lisa Hofstra, the charge nurse at the Chicago hospital, says that the police officer that asked her to perform the blood test falsely arrested her when she told him that Wright need to be checked into the facility. Hofstra filed a Chicago police brutality lawsuit accusing the cop and the city of Chicago of civil rights violations.

DUI charges filed in fatal crash which sparked lawsuit against city, Chicago Sun-Times, October 15, 2009

Arrest made in fatal Park Ridge crash, Sun-Times, October 13, 2009

2 dead, 4 injured in Park Ridge accident, Chicago Sun-Times, October 11, 2009

Relate Web Resources:
DUI Conviction Penalties, Illinois State Police

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Park Ridge Car Accident Leaves Two Dead and Four Injured " »

There is growing concern among some groups that electric cars can be a danger to pedestrians because their near-silent sound may make them hard to hear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is in the process of examining data about car accidents involving hybrid vehicles and pedestrians and will issue its final report in January 2010.

Blind people may be especially susceptible to pedestrian accidents involving Hybrid cars. This is one reason the The National Federation of the Blind is calling on carmakers to design plug-in electric autos and hybrids that emit some type of noise.

Last summer, a blind woman’s cane was run over and broken by what she believes was a hybrid auto. Considering that millions of hybrid and electric vehicles are expected on streets within the next few years, making sure that people can hear them approach could save lives and prevent car manufacturers from becoming defendants of auto products liability and wrongful death lawsuits. Deaf pedestrian may also be at greater risk of becoming involved in a Chicago car accident with a hybrid or electric car than people who have all of their senses intact.

Some carmakers are already attempting to address this possible hazard. According to Bloomberg.com, Nissan is trying to come up with a sound system that would automatically activate when the car is started and wouldn’t shut off until it was traveling at a speed of at least 12 mph.

With so many commuters and tourists in Chicago, pedestrian accidents occur more often than we would like to think. Even if you are not from the area and you were injured in a Chicago car accident, you may be entitled to Chicago personal injury recovery.

Addressing the danger of too-quiet electric cars, with a little help from Blade Runner, Smart Planet, September 21, 2009

Safety experts fear electric cars too quiet, Kansas City Star, September 25, 2009

Related Web Resources:
NHTSA

City of Chicago Pedestrian Program

Continue reading "Are Electric Cars a Danger to Chicago Pedestrians?" »

A motorist faces two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI over the deaths of a Chicago man and an East Chicago, Indiana resident. David Barbour’s BAC was .148% when he crashed his car into the vehicle carrying William Taylor, 27, and Lawrence Peterson, 28.

Police say that the deadly Chicago car accident happened at 59th and Ashland when Barbour ran a red light. Cook County prosecutors say that he was involved in another auto accident before the one that killed the two men. A third passenger who was riding with Taylor and Lawrence sustained critical injuries.

Barbour, 27, is accused of denying offers to drive him to his destination after he left a bar. Other charges against him include driving without insurance, negligent driving, and disregarding a traffic light.

Drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of car crashes in Illinois and throughout the US. Our Chicago car accident lawyers know how hard it is for surviving family members to deal with their loss while attempting to pick up the pieces of their lives. We are here to help our clients with their personal injury and wrongful death recovery.

Just this June, a 24-year-old woman died on Illinois 47 when Oak Lawn resident Joe Olvera crossed the northbound lane to strike their vehicle. Meagan Ahlstrom was 24. Her mother Rebecca sustained permanent injuries from the deadly Illinois car accident.

Olvera was charged with six counts of aggravated DUI. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to two counts. He will receive his sentence in December. Olvera faces a maximum 14 years in prison.

Olvera pleads guilty in fatal wreck, Morris Daily Herald, October 9, 2009

Two killed, two injured in Austin neighborhood crash, Chicago Sun-Times, October 3, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Illinois DUI Conviction Penalties

ABC7 Chicago is reporting that the widow of a man who died last Thursday in a Crestwood multi-car crash is furious that the driver responsible for causing the deadly traffic collision was a parolee who already had a conviction for reckless homicide. Marian Anderson’s husband, Frederick Anderson, was 55.

On Sunday, Bruce Dozier again was charged with reckless homicide, in addition to aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Eight vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction collision on Cicero Avenue.

The deadly Chicago suburb car accident occurred early in the morning. His wife, Marion says she saw footage of the deadly auto crash on TV but didn’t know that her husband was involved in the collision until she received a call from his office.

Police say that Anderson died instantly.

Dozier, who has paroled in 2008 after serving two of his six-year prison sentence, received his first conviction for reckless homicide when he was involved in an auto accident that killed a 28-year-old driver. Anderson’s family is angry that Dozier was let out of jail early.

Chicago Car Accident Lawsuits
If someone you love died in a Chicago car accident and your injury case seems impossible to prove, do not despair. Our Chicago injury law firm is known for taking on and succeeding with Cook County car accident lawsuits that other local personal injury lawyers have turned down. Even if the driver was an uninsured motorist or a hit and run driver, there still may be a way to obtain financial recovery for you. There even may be other parties who should be held liable.

Suspect received bond Sunday, ABC Local, October 4, 2009

Parolee Charged In Fatal Crestwood Crash, My Fox Chicago, October 4, 2009

Crestwood crash leaves one dead, Southtown Star, October 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Cyber Drive Illinois

Reckless Homicide, Illinois General Assembly

This week, Toyota, the largest automaker in the world, announced that it is going to recall 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles because the motor vehicle’s floor mats can cause accelerator to get stuck. That’s what investigators believe happened last month in the Lexus that Mark Saylor, his wife Cleofe, their teenager daughter Mahala, and his brother-in-law Chris Lastrella were riding.

During a 911 call made from the Lexus ES 350, one of the passengers exclaimed that the brakes did not appear to be working. All four vehicle occupants died after the auto, which was moving at high speeds, struck another vehicle, crashed through a fence, bounced off a dirt embankment, flew off the ground, and landed close to a riverbed before catching fire.

Toyota says that preliminary data from the tragic crash probe indicates that the all-weather floor mat on the driver’s may have been installed improperly, which allowed the mat to interfere with the accelerated pedal.

According to the federal government, five deaths, 17 injuries, and 13 car crashes have been linked to Toyota floor mats. Over 100 related complaints have been filed.

The New York Times is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Toyota have known about this floor mat problem for a couple years. As a matter of fact, Toyota recalled a number of all-weather floor mats in 2007.

The NHTSA’s investigation in 2007 found that there were problems with the Toyota accelerator pad’s design and the optional all-weather, rubber floor mats. According to a NHTSA test center, the accelerator pad’s design allows it to easily become entrapped in the floor mat’s groove if the mat isn’t secured correctly. The test center’s report went on to say that if the accelerator pad did get stuck, the driver’s ability to brake could be reduced significantly.

Car manufacturers can be held liable for auto products liability if someone is seriously injured or dies in a Chicago car accident because the automaker made a mistake and designed a vehicle or auto part with a defect that caused or contributed to the deadly Illinois auto crash.

Toyota Floor-Mat Problem Was Known Two Years Ago, NY Times, October 1, 2009

Toyota recall: 3.8 million cars with risky floor mats, CNN, September 30, 2009

Floor Mats the Focus of Deadly Lexus Crash, NBC San Diego, September 10, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corporation

Defects & Recalls, NHTSA

Continue reading "Toyota Has Known About Deadly Floor Mats for Two Years, Reports New York Times" »

Beginning January, the state of Illinois will ban all motorists from texting while driving. In the meantime, this form of distracted driving is still legal and many motorists will continue to send and receive texts while operating a motor vehicle despite knowing that texting while driving significantly increases a person’s chances of becoming involved in a Chicago car crash.

Fortunately, efforts to continue to educate and remind people that texting while driving can be fatal. Beginning tomorrow, the US Department of Transportation will hold its Distracted Driving Summit to discuss the dangers that can arise and the deaths that can result when someone texts while driving or participates in other distracted driving activities. Also, from October 5 to October 11, AAA and AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is sponsoring Heads Up Driving Week. They are calling on motorists across the US to stop all distracted driving activities---especially talking on a cell phone and texting—for just one week.

In Illinois, one Northwestern University student is garnering attention for a school project she and other students are making called "Message Received." The film highlighting the dangers of texting when driving. Last year, the city of Chicago passed an ordinance making Internet surfing and texting illegal.

If you were injured in a Chicago auto crash because a driver was distracted, you may be entitled to personal injury recovery from the liable party.

AAA Foundation for traffic safety says that driver inattention is a cause of over one million traffic accidents in the US. It is unacceptable that people are getting hurt and dying because certain motorists are unable to wait until they’ve arrived at their destination to respond to or compose a text message, make a phone call, light a cigarette, read a newspaper, or use their hands to eat, paint their nails, or apply makeup.

Student film focuses on texting during driving, DailyNorthwestern, September 29, 2009

Administration Eyes Ways to Block Texting While Driving, US News & World Report, September 28, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving Summit

What is Heads Up Driving Week?, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Cellphone laws, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Continue reading "Preventing Chicago Car Crashes: Dangers of Texting While Driving Highlighted During US DOT's Distracted Driving Summit " »

According to two studies by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researcher, teenagers who either own a car or are able to use one whenever they want have a greater chance of becoming involved in a car accident than teens who have shared use of a vehicle and/or whose parents monitor their kids’ driving activities and/or have specific rules about driving.

The studies’ research is based on a nationally representative survey of over 5,500 teens, grades 9-11. Students from 68 US high schools responded to the questionnaire, which was issued 2006.

Over 2,000 teens who said they drove unsupervised were at the center of the study. 70% reported that they either owned a vehicle or were the main driver of an auto. While 25% of “main” drivers had been involved in auto accidents, that figure was at 10% for teen drivers who had shared use of a car.

Flaura Koplin Winston, who is the study’s lead author, noted that when teenagers are given free use of or ownership of a car, they may develop a “sense of entitlement” that can make them less careful drivers. She said that teen drivers who shared driving access had a lower crash rate because having to ask for the car keys made it easier for parents to monitor their driving habits. Teens whose parents were more involved in their driving activities were 71% less likely to drive drunk and 30% less likely to talk on a cell phone while driving.

Considering that traffic accidents is the number one cause of teen fatalities, this information is good for parents to know. Just because a teen driver is now old enough to legally drive does not mean that he or she automatically has the skills, experience, knowledge, and judgment that is necessary for driving safely.

A teenager who causes a Chicago car crash risks not just his or her life but also the lives of others. In 2008, 4,400 teens were killed in US car crashes. In 2007, over 7,000 people died in US auto accidents involving teen drivers. Over 3,000 of the people who died were teenagers. Over 250,000 teen drivers sustained injuries.

Ken Ginsburg, associated pediatrics professor at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia recommends that parents set “appropriate” rules and boundaries for teen drivers. His suggestions include establishing curfews, restricting driving during bad weather, and preventing their kids from driving passengers around for the first six months to one year.

The studies findings’ can be found in the October issue of Pediatrics. State Farm Insurance Co. funded the study.

Strict rules from parents lead to safer-driving teens, USA Today, September 25, 2009

Teens with own cars have more crashes, study finds, AP, September 25, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Teen Drivers, CDC

New Drivers, NHTSA

Continue reading "Owning a Motor Vehicle Increases Chicago Car Accident Risk for Teenagers" »

In Cook County, Illinois, a jury has awarded $25 million to a man who is now a paraplegic after he was injured in a Schaumburg car accident in April 2004. Andrzej Chraca can only walk using a cane and leg braces because he fractured a vertebra in his spine.

The Cook County car accident happened as Chraca’s vehicle and a car driven by Steve Miles crossed an Elgin O'Hare Expressway intersection at the same time. Both men have argued that each of them had the right-of-way. Miles, who was working for the Illinois Department of Transportation at the time of the Schaumburg, Illinois auto crash also sustained permanent injuries, including a mild traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis to the right side of his body. Chraca and Miles haven’t been able to go back to work since the auto accident happened.

Even though investigators were not able to figure out who ran a red light and witnesses at the Chicago personal injury trial offered contradicting testimony, the jury ruled in favor of Chraca—although they did find him 5% responsible for driving too fast—because Miles’s car struck Chraca’s vehicle.

After making a slight deduction for comparative negligence, Chraca’s $25 million award was reduced to $23,838,668. The IDOT is responsible for $2 million because Miles was operating IDOT equipment when the deadly Schaumburg car accident happened.

Proving liability in a Chicago car accident can be complicated. There may be inadequate evidence and conflicting testimony from various witnesses.

Schaumburg man gets $24 million judgment in crash suit, The Daily Herald, September 9, 2009

Cook County jury awards $24M to man hurt in Schaumburg crash, Sun Times, September 9, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Spinal Cord Injury : Quadriplegic and Paraplegic Injuries, Apparelyzed

Car Accidents, Proving Fault, Nolo

Continue reading "Cook County Jury Awards $25 Million Schaumburg Car Accident Lawsuit to Partial Paraplegic" »

In Cook County Circuit Court, a woman is suing former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael for personal injury. Her Chicago car accident lawsuit is seeking over $50,000 in damages.

Marzanna Jakszewicz says she sustained a herniated disc during the Cook County car crash, which occurred on January 8, 2008 on the Northwest side. McMichael was reportedly getting off Kennedy Expressway at North Kimball Avenue when he allegedly hit Jakszewicz's vehicle, which was stopped at a traffic light.

Jakszewicz claims that the former Chicago Bears player stumbled out of his car, verbally abused her, and left the Chicago car crash site even though she asked him to wait for police.

According to Jakszewicz’s Chicago car accident lawyer, McMichael may have overshot the exit, which is how he ended up hitting his client’s vehicle. Jakszewicz’s car and another auto were damaged during the Chicago car collision.

Herniated Discs
A herniated disc can be extremely painful and a CT scan or an MRI may be required for diagnosis. Some car crash victims may find themselves experiencing a lifetime of pain from their herniated disc injuries, and they may have to undergo surgery, therapy, or steroid injections.

If you are injured in any kind of Chicago accident that was caused by another parties negligence, you need to speak with a Chicago injury attorney immediately. In many serious cases, your car accident insurance may not cover all the costs of medical expenses, rehabilitation, and time off from work. You may have to file a Chicago car accident lawsuit to ensure that you receive all of the recovery that you are owed.

Former Bear McMichael sued for allegedly causing crash, fleeing the scene, WBBM 780, September 23, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Herniated Disc, Web MD

Welcome to Herniated disk guide, May Clinic

According to the National Occupant Protection Use Survey, seat belt use this year is at 84%. This is a 1% increase from 2007's seat belt use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis conducted NOPUS.

Per the survey:
• US states where vehicle occupants are more likely to get pulled over for not wearing seat belts had a higher seat belt use rate than states with less strict seat belt regulations.
• Seat belt use on expressways is at 90% and 81% on surface streets.
• Seat belt use in passenger cars is 86%, 87% in vans and SUVs, and 74% in pickup trucks.
• Seat belt use on weekdays is 83%.
• Seat belt use on weekends is at 86%.

With so many people using seat belts, it is important that these safety devices be free from defects so that they are able to properly protect wearers in the event of a motor vehicle crash. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and our Chicago car accident lawyers have represented injury victims with defective seat belt claims against auto manufacturers and seat belt makers.

Common kinds of seat belt defects that can be grounds for a Chicago products liability complaint:

• Torn webbing
• Ribbed webbing
• Inertial unlatching
• Failed retractor
• Lap-only seat belts

Defective seat belts can lead to catastrophic car accident injuries. If a person using the seat belt is involved in a Chicago car accident and the safety restraint system malfunctions, the vehicle occupant could get thrown into the front or side windows, get ejected from the motor vehicle, or sustain a serious traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury if the roof crushes inward during a rollover accident.

Seat Belt Use in 2009, NHTSA, September 2009 (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Safety advocates seek more seat belt use, USA Today, June 14, 2009

Seat Belts, Why You Should Use Them, OSU EHS

In Illinois, the secretary of state’s office is putting together an emergency contact database that police can use to locate the family members of car accident victims. The database is voluntary and lets state residents submit phone numbers and addresses of up to two contacts located anywhere in the United States. To submit your contacts’ information, go to the CyberDrive Illinois Web site.

All you need is an Illinois driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card. Only law enforcement personnel can access the data.

The emergency information will hopefully make it easier for police in Chicago and other Illinois cities to contact family members of people who were injured or killed in Illinois car accidents. It can be especially difficult to locate the relatives of victims that were killed, are too injured to communicate, or whose own contact information is not up-to-date. This can prove traumatic not just for the victim but also for some family members who may not be able to make it to the hospital in time to make the important decisions about their loved one’s medical care.

Over 6,000 people have signed up to participate since the program’s launch in August.

Chicago Car Accidents
Getting hurt in a Chicago car accident can be a life-altering experience. There can be so much to think about following a serious injury crash, including figuring out what to do about medical expenses and living costs, exploring best options for medical care and recovery, worrying about how you are going to pay your bills, or wondering whether you will lose your job if you take the needed time off from work to recover. Also, there is the pain and suffering you may be experiencing as a result of your injuries.

This is why it is important that you work with an experienced Chicago auto accident lawyer who can help you get through this difficult time while pursuing your Illinois personal injury recovery from all liable parties.

Illinois secretary of state compiles 'in case of emergency' database, Chicago Tribune, September 16, 2009

CyberDriveIllinois

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Department of Transportation

What to do after a car accident, MSN

Police in Chicago, Illinois are citing the 64-year-old motorist who fatally struck a 5-year-old bicyclist with failure to provide a pedestrian with due care in a roadway and failure to stop when leaving an alley. Following the deadly Chicago car accident in the Rogers Park area, driver Mary Mani remained at the crash site.

The young girl, Ester Kenig, was transported to an Evanston hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Chicago Car Accidents Can Fatally Injure Child Bicyclists
With the new academic school year underway, it is important for drivers to be on the look out for bicyclists. A Chicago motorist can be held liable for personal injury or wrongful death if a cyclist is injured in a Chicago auto crash. Young child riders are especially at risk of serious injuries.

Steps to avoid injuring a bicyclist in a Chicago car accident:
• Be on the look out for bicyclists.
• Be especially careful around child bicyclists.
• Before opening your car door, make sure that a bicyclist isn’t approaching.
• Follow the speed limit.
• Stop completely when at stop signs.
• Give a bicyclist room to maneuver.
• Don’t tailgate a cyclist.
• Watch out for child pedestrians and bicyclists in school crossing zones and in areas where kids are likely to be going to or from school.
• Slow down when passing a bicycle rider.
• Try not to honk your horn when you are close to a bicyclist. You might startle him or her, causing the rider to fall onto the street.

Chicago car accidents can lead to serious injuries for victims. In many cases, car insurance will not cover all recovery expenses. An experienced Chicago, Illinois car collision lawyer can pursue the maximum compensation that you are owed.

Driver cited in death of 5-year-old, ABC Local, September 7, 2009

Yield to Heels, Hsrc.unc.edu

Related Web Resources:
CyberDrive Illinois

Driver ticketed in crash that killed 5-year-old girl, WBBM Newsradio, September 7, 2009

Chicago auto products liability lawyers are watching and waiting to discover if indeed the allegations brought by a former Toyota lawyer who is accusing the automaker of concealing key evidence and information in hundreds of rollover lawsuits are true. If so, a number of Toyota rollover lawsuits that were either settled or with verdicts that came out in favor of the carmaker may have to be reopened.

Last July, Dimitrios Biller sued the his former employer for wrongful termination. He says Toyota made him resign because he disagreed with the way they allegedly mishandled key evidence in over 300 personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Biller, who was given a $3.7 million severance package in 2007, is now ready to talk about why he says he was let go.

Biller worked for the world’s biggest automaker from 2003 to 2007. While employed by Toyota, he defended the company against rollover lawsuits filed by plaintiffs and the loved ones of victims that died in catastrophic traffic crashes.

Biller is accusing Toyota of keeping electronically stored data from plaintiffs instead of turning over the information to their products liability lawyers. He also says that Toyota destroyed documents about roof crush issues that were relevant to these cases.

Biller claims that Toyota withheld records about the testing and the designs of vehicle roofs. He says the carmaker has never come up with a document to prove that its roof strength standard is tougher than the federal government’s requirement. Bill claims that currently, there are people who are driving Toyota vehicles that fail to meet the carmaker's own internal standard.

The allegations that Biller is making against Toyota are serious and could impact the outcome of hundreds of products liability cases that were already closed. Our Chicago SUV rollover accident law firm will be watching closely to determine if indeed Toyota has been keeping key information from plaintiffs who perhaps should have received a larger recovery for their injuries, pain and suffering, and losses.

Rollover accidents continue to claim many lives in the US on a regular basis. This is why automakers must design their vehicles in a manner that decreases the chances of a rollover accident and if a rollover crash does happen, the vehicle’s roof should be sturdy enough so that it doesn’t crush inward to cause serious injury or death to vehicle occupants that are secured by their seat belts.

Toyota Accused of Hiding Evidence, CBS News, August 29, 2009

Toyota May Face Push to Reopen Rollover-Crash Cases, Bloomberg, September 1, 2009

Toyota Accused of Concealing Evidence in Rollover Lawsuits, NY TImes, August 31, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Justia

Rollover and Roof Crush, IIHS

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, some 500 people in the state died in alcohol-related car accidents in 2007. In an effort to decrease the number of drunk driving deaths this year, over 300 local police agencies are stepping up their efforts to crack down on motorists who are driving drunk or not using seat belts—especially over the holiday weekend.

There will be more police patrols on the street and officers will focus on the night hours. Last week, the IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety reported a significant difference in the motor vehicle deaths that happen late at night than during the other times of the day.

While Illinois State Police are quick to point out that driving drunk at any time of day or night is never appropriate or acceptable, the latest data indicates that the chances of becoming involved in an Illinois drunk driving accident rises dramatically at night.

Almost 7 out of 10 traffic deaths that took place between 12am and 3am involved a driver who was drunk. Less than 3 of the 10 car crash deaths that occurred at this time were people who were using seat belts. This 3-hour period is considered the deadliest time of the day to be riding a vehicle on an Illinois road.

During the day, alcohol was a factor in under 2 out of every 10 Illinois traffic deaths. Almost 6 out of the 10 fatality victims had been properly restrained.

Our Chicago car crash law firm has said time and again that drunk driving is negligent driving and can be grounds for an Illinos personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death case if a motorist was careless enough to drink and drive and someone was killed or hurt as a result. While it is the responsibility of vehicle occupants to use their seat belts, there are Chicago auto injuries and deaths that happen because of products liability. In order to save a life, a seat belt must be free from defects and cannot malfunction during an Illinois traffic accident.

Labor Day DUI crackdown set, Chicago Tribune, September 3, 2009

IDOT data reports late-night hours as the deadliest time on Illinois roadways, Illinois Gov, August 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
2007 Drunk Driving Statistics

Cops target U.S. 41 for drunken drivers, Post-Tribune, September 3, 2009

Police in Clinton County, Illinois have charged Melissa Weiser with 32 counts of aggravated DUI. The 27-year-old was driving the car that crashed into a SUV on May 24 near Keyesport.

Three of the people riding in the SUV, Aviston resident Blake Thole, Germantown resident Derek Garrison, and Beckenmeyer resident Justin Haar, all died in the deadly Illinois car crash. Four other occupants, New Baden’s Crystal Fuehne, Albers’s Elisah Engelmann, Damiansville’s Casey Athmer, and Breese’s John Lampen sustained injuries. East Carondelet resident Chaz Sarget, who was riding in Weiser’s car, was also killed in the Clinton County, Illinois car crash.

Weiss was arrested on Tuesday after prosecutors filed the charges against her.

According to new government figures, the number of DUI arrests involving women in Illinois and the rest of the US has gone up, while the number of men arrested for DUI over the last 10 years has gone down. One reason for this, says former Cook County prosecutor Denise Nalley, is that police officers are no longer practicing leniency toward female drunk drivers.

In 2007, US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s daughter, Ann Banaszewski, was charged with DUI in DuPage County. Banaszewski was sentenced to 18-months court supervision and she had to undergo alcohol counseling.

While in 1998, 126,000 women were arrested in the US for drunk driving, that number rose to 162,000 in 2007. In Illinois, there were 7,430 women arrested for DUI in 1998. 9,800 women were arrested for Illinois drunk driving in 2007. In Chicago, there were 400 female DUI arrests in 2001. In 2007, 610 women were arrested for Chicago DUI.

As evidenced by the drunk driving accident that our Chicago car accident law firm discusses in this blog post, driving under the influence of any kind of substance is negligent driving that can kill people and destroy the lives of the victims’ loved ones.

Woman accused of felony DUI in wreck that killed 4, Chicago Tribune, August 27, 2009

Woman charged with DUI in Keyesport wreck that killed 4, BND, August 27, 2009

Cops get tough with women driving drunk, Chicago Sun-Times, August 23, 2009

Continue reading "27-Year-Old East Carondelet Woman Charged with 32 Counts of Aggravated DUI in Illinois Car Accident that Killed Four People Last May" »

A 3-year-old girl is in critical but stable condition at a Chicago hospital. The young girl had been playing in Fox Lake on Monday evening when a Dodge that was backing out of 23 Arlington Road struck her. The girl was pinned underneath the vehicle during the backover accident and dragged some 200 feet before the driver realized what happened. The 3-year-old broke her collarbone and sustained shoulder and head injuries during the Lake County, Illinois car accident.

Police say they may pursue charges against the motorist.

Backover Accidents
Backover accidents involve a person that is struck by a vehicle that is backing up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 221 people died in backover accidents in 2007. 14,000 others were injured. 99 of the deaths and 2,000 of the injuries were kids in the 14 and under age group.

Most of the backover accidents took place in parking lots and driveways. Kids and Cars founder Janette Fennell says that the NHTSA figures affirms her group’s findings that about two children a week die in the US because of backover accidents.

It is important that motorists carefully check around and behind their vehicles before backing up. Larger cars, such as vans, sport utility vehicles, and trucks, tend to have bigger blind spots.

Steps to prevent backover accidents from happening:
• Physically go around your vehicle before backing it up.
• Keep an eye on children on the road so that you don’t miss one of them running behind your car.
• Keep toys and other items kids might want to play with off your driveway.
• Drive carefully

A driver can be held liable for personal injury if negligence or carelessness caused the motorist to accidentally run over someone during a Lake County, Illinois backover accident.

Fox Lake girl critical after struck by car, Lake County News-Sun, August 26, 2009

3-Year-Old Struck By Car, Dragged 200 Feet, CBS2Chicago, August 26, 2009

221 People Killed in "Backover" Accidents in 2007, NHTSA Study Shows, Edmunds Daily, January 2009

Related Web Resources:
Kids and Cars

Automobile Back-Over Accidents: How to Avoid a Surprisingly Prevalent & Serious Accident, SixWise.com

A 65-year-old woman was killed yesterday in an Illinois car accident on Route 13. Frances Koon, a seamstress, was going to work when her car was in a collision with a pickup just before 5am.

According to investigators, it was Nicholas Wilson, 19, who crossed the center line, causing the head-on crash with Koon’s motor vehicle. Illinois State Police have charged Wilson with DUI.

Three people were in the car driven by Wilson. The passengers, ages 19 – 21, were flown to hospitals.

Drunk Driving
Despite all the information available regarding the dangers of drunk driving, there are still many motorists that continue to drink and drive. Drunk driving accidents killed almost 13,000 people in 2007—that’s one drunk driving death every 40 minutes. In each of these instances, the driver who was drunk had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or more.

Drunk driving accidents destroy the lives not just of the person killed or injured in the Illinois car crash, but also the lives of the victim’s loved ones who now must spend years dealing with the fact that the person they care about is gone or catastrophically hurt because someone drank too much and decided to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

On August 21, 2009, law enforcement officers throughout the US will begin an 18-day Drunk Driving crackdown until Labor Day. The initiative, called Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. Is meant to save lives and make it clear to motorists that if they are driving drunk, they will be arrested.

Drunk drivers that end up killing someone will likely face time in prison for committing this crime. The negligent motorist can also be held liable in civil court for Illinois personal injury or wrongful death.

Head On Collision Kills Woman from Lenzburg, Illinois, Fox2Now, August 17, 2009

Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest, NHTSA

Related Web Resources:
Underage Drinking, SADD

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Continue reading "Woman Dies in Illinois Head-On Car Accident on Route 13" »

A 2009 new poll commissioned by AutoVantage called "In The Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey” ranks Chicago, Illinois number 12 on its list of 25 metropolitan centers in the United States. New York City ranked number one as the city with the rudest drivers in the country, a likely relief for Miami, which ranked on top for three years running until now.

When participants were asked what they felt were the leading causes of road rage, the most popular answers included:

• Bad driving
• Speeding
• Careless driving
• Tailgating
• Making obscene gestures
• Using a cell phone
• Failing to use the appropriate signals
• Running late, being in a hurry, being in a bad mood, feeling tired, having a bad day, or feeling stressed out
• Traffic
• Other car accidents
• Road construction
• Poor road conditions
• Rude drivers

The participants were asked about other drivers' behaviors that bothered them:

• Drivers who eat and drive
• Drivers who drink and drive
• Drivers who text or e-mail
• Speeding drivers
• Drivers who use cell phones

When asked how they might respond to behaviors by other drivers that bothered them:

• Curse at the motorist
• Honk their horn
• Make gestures with their arms
• Make obscene gestures
• Call police
• Rear end the car in front of them

Road Rage
Road rage can lead to Chicago car accidents resulting in serious injuries. A driver who is experiencing road rage may end up engaging in dangerous behavior, such as slamming the brakes to punish a tailgater, rear-ending a motorist who is driving too slowly, recklessly weaving out of traffic, or cutting off drivers in an attempt to vent their frustrations. This puts the angry driver, the other motorist, and the drivers and pedestrians around them at risk of serious injury or death.

Driver Courtesy: Forget It and Drive On, National Safety Commission, July 16, 2009

Affinion Road Rage 2009 Survey

Related Web Resource:
AutoVantage Road Rage Survey Reveals Best, Worst Cities, Affinion Group Media, June 16, 2009

Aggressive Driving: Three Studies, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Affinion Group Media

Continue reading "New Survey Ranks Chicago as #12 On 2009 List of US Metropolitan Centers with Most Road Rage" »

A 17-year-old Illinois teenager who survived a catastrophic St. Charles car accident is suing the driver and his dad for personal injury. Chelsea Mertz is seeking damages over $50,000 for her brain injury and broken jaw.

On June 17, Mertz and three teenagers were riding in a sport utility vehicle driven by 18-year-old Onofrio Lorusso (also known as Josh) when the SUV went off the road, hitting two trees. West Chicago resident Cameron Godee, 17, died from her injuries.

Because of the Illinois SUV accident, Mertz’s jaw was surgically shut. Because she underwent brain surgery, she has had to undergo rehabilitative therapy. It is unclear at this time whether there will be any permanent effects from her traumatic brain injury.

According to Mertz’s Illinois car accident complaint, Lorusso was driving on the wrong side of the road, going over 40 miles above the speed limit, as well as high and drunk. Mertz is also suing Lorusso’s father, who has the same name as his son, for allowing Josh to drive the teenagers home that night even though he’d been drinking.

The lawsuit contends that Lorusso’s father knew that his son had a history of driving while under the influence. Also named as a defendant in the Illinois personal injury lawsuit is Active Concrete. The company belongs to Lorusso’s father and the car involved in the auto accident was registered in its name.

Police say Lorusso’s blood alcohol content was over three times the legal drinking limit. The teen driver also tested positive for marijuana. He is charged with 4 counts of reckless homicide and 12 counts of aggravated DUI.

Suit filed in fatal St. Charles crash, Suburban Chicago News, August 7, 2009

Injured passenger sues driver in fatal STC crash, The Chronicle, August 6, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Traumatic Brain Injury, CDC

Broken Jaw, EmedicineHealth

Police say that the 36-year-old mother who drove the wrong-way on a New York road killing 8 people, herself, her 2-year-old daughter, her three young nieces, as well as three people in one of the vehicles she struck, had a blood-alcohol level that was over twice the legal limit at the time of the deadly multi-vehicle car crash.

They claim that Diane Schuler had more than 10 alcohol drinks in her system as well as a high level of the primary ingredient found in marijuana. They believe she’d been smoking the drug anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour before the deadly multi-vehicle crash. Her BAC was reportedly 0.19%--over double the 0.08% drinking limit and there was alcohol that was still undigested in her body. A broken bottle of Absolute vodka was in the minivan that she’d been driving.

Schuler stunned the nation on July 26 when her minivan drove for almost two miles the wrong-way up the Taconic State Parkway. She crashed into two vehicles, including an SUV carrying the three men who were killed in the deadly wrong-way driving accident. The three men are Guy Bastardi, his year- father Michael Bastardi, and their friend Michael Longo. Their families are considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit against whoever allowed Schuler to drive drunk.

Schuler’s son Bryan, 5, survived the crash with injuries.

Schuler’s husband, Daniel Schuler, however, says the toxicology reports are wrong. He says he’s never seen his wife drink during all of the years that they’ve known each other. His attorney held a news conference today claiming that Schuler was diabetic. The family thinks she suffered a stroke.

Police have ruled the car accident a homicide because Schuler caused the accident while driving the wrong way up the road.

Lawyer: N.Y. mom in wrong-way crash was diabetic, August 6, 2009

Wrong-way driver in N.Y. crash was drunk, LA Times, August 4, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Continue reading "Wrongful Death?: Wrong-Way Driver Who Killed 8 People Was Drunk and High, Say Police, but Her Family Disputes Allegations" »

According to a spokesperson for the Illinois government, tomorrow Governor Patrick Quinn will sign a bill into law that will make it illegal for drivers in the state to text while driving. The new law would allow for the use of GPS devices on cell phones and let motorists pull off to the shoulder of the road while they text.

This is good news for people in Chicago and the rest of Illinois—especially after recent findings by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reported that texting while driving dramatically increases the chances that a driver will become involved in a motor vehicle crash.

In the wake of this news, as well as revelations that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knew as far back as several years ago that using a cell phone while driving was dangerous—yet decided not to notify the public—US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced this week that there will be a “distracted driving summit.” The gathering is tentatively scheduled to take place in September.

Safety advocates are noting that this move shows that the federal government is beginning to increase its focus on the dangers that can arise when drivers text or talk on the cell phone while driving. They are hoping that the summit will result in action, such as new laws, and not just discourse.

Last week, a number of US lawmakers proposed holding back on federal highway funding unless states established laws regulating both texting and talking on the cell phone while driving.

To date, the District of Columbia and 5 US states have laws making it necessary for drivers to use hands-free cell phones when driving. 14 US states have banned texting while driving.

Secretary LaHood says that people need to be educated about the dangerous of texting and talking on the cell phone while driving so they can be clear about the potential dangers.

Already, too many people have sustained serious personal injuries in Chicago car accidents or become the victims of wrongful death because a motorist was texting or talking on a cell phone and driving at the same time.

Quinn plans to sign ban on texting while driving Thursday, Chicago Tribune, August 5, 2009

Federal Agency Plans Distracted Driving Forum, NY Times, August 4, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Cell Phone Driving Laws, GHSA

CyberDrive Illinois

Continue reading "Gov. Patrick Quinn to Sign Texting while Driving Ban into Illinois Law in Chicago" »

It is now common knowledge that talking on a cell phone while driving, texting and driving, and reading while driving are dangerous activities. Yet did you know that eating certain foods can also increase the chances you could become involved in a Chicago car accident?

According to some insurers, here are three groups of food to avoid while driving:

Any HOT liquids: Hot chocolate, hot soup, and hot coffee can become safety risks if you spill any of these items on yourself while driving in traffic.

GOOEY foods: Not only could you find yourself taking at least one hand off the steering wheel if your jelly donut ends up squirting onto your blouse and you scramble to unscrew your water bottle or search for a napkin to blot out the stain before an important meeting, but your attempts at multi-tasking could cause you to swerve out of your lane into the vehicle next to you or onto oncoming traffic.

Greasy foods: Apparently hamburgers, tacos, chili dogs, chicken wings, chocolate cake, and bbq ribs are considered dangerous dishes to eat while driving as well.

Of course, eating while driving is just one type of distracted driving that can lead to Chicago car crashes. And it’s a poor excuse if you ever do find that a cup of hot and sour soup caused you to become involved in a Chicago auto collision.

It can also be very costly—not just in terms of any traffic tickets that could result or an increase in insurance rates if you end up causing an Illinois traffic collision as a result—but if someone gets hurt, you could find yourself the defendant in a Chicago car accident lawsuit.

Eating while driving, dangerous foods, My Fox DC, July 28, 2009

Related Web Resource:
Cyber Drive, Illinois

Continue reading "Certain Foods are Dangerous to Eat While Driving and Can Cause Chicago Car Accidents " »

Four people sustained critical injuries and one person was killed in a Chicago car accident involving a drunk driver in Woodlawn on Sunday night. The person that died was a passenger in the car driven by an alleged drunk driver, who drove into another vehicle and then a light pole, which then landed on a 9-year-old pedestrian. The child is reportedly in stable condition at the University of Chicago Corner Children’s Hospital. Another car accident victim reportedly sustained a broken arm.

In another Chicago car accident on Sunday, two police officers ended up in the hospital after the squad car they were riding in was broadsided by a Honda. The driver, 20, is accused of ignoring a traffic control device at Elston and Albany and t-boning the squad car. Aggravated DUI charges against the motorist may be pending, in addition to driving without insurance and driving without a license charges.

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration roadside survey, in 2007 2.2% of drivers had a BAC of .08% or greater—a significant decline compared to the number of drunk drivers (7.5% were legally drunk) that were surveyed in 1973. Despite the fact that there are less drunk drivers on US roads than their used to be, drunk driving is still a cause of way too many Chicago car crashes.

Drunk driving is negligent driving and a drunk driver can be sued for Chicago personal injury if he or she causes serious injury or wrongful death during an Illinois car accident.

The recent NHTSA survey also went on to note that for the first time, 16.3% of the nighttime weekend drivers surveyed tested positive for drugs, with cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine the most commonly drugs detected. Not only can taking drugs impair a driver’s ability to drive safely, but these narcotics can stay in the motorist’s system for weeks—making it hard to know if these drugs were a contributing factor in causing a Chicago car accident days after they were ingested.

One dead, four critically hurt in Woodlawn Crash, Chicago Sun-Times, July 27, 2009

Drunken driver injures two cops, WBBM 780, July 27, 2009

Study finds decline in alcohol use by drivers, AP, July 13, 2009

Related Web Resources:
NHTSA

MADD

Continue reading "Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Injures Four and Kills One " »

Surprisingly, there are people who read while driving a motor vehicle. This is a form of distracted driving that happens more often than you would think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reading while driving triples the odds that a driver might become involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Examples of reading while driving:
• Reading text messages
• Reading emails
• Surfing the Internet on a PDA or cell phone
• Reading a map
• Reading directions
• Reading books or newspapers

Reading while driving can prove dangerous because a driver likely will have to take his or her eyes off the road. The motorist’s cognitive attention is focused on the material being read, which can take a driver’s overall focus off the road and away from driving safely.

Some people may get bored in traffic and decide to pick up a book or surf the Web while their vehicle isn’t moving. It can be challenging to for a motorist to stop reading once the pace of traffic picks up and they may continue reading—especially when traffic is moving at a stop-and-go pace, increasing the chances of a driver becoming involved in a rear-end crash that can turn into a chain reaction, multi-vehicle crash.

Reading, painting your nails, texting, talking on a cell phone, watching a DVD, surfing the Internet may seem like harmless activities until a motorist does them while getting behind the wheel of a car. People have sustained catastrophic, even fatal Chicago car crash injuries because a driver was distracted from multi-tasking while driving.

Careless Driving Tickets: Reading While Driving, National Safety Commission, July 16, 2009

Driver Inattention, National Safety Council

Related Web Resources:
NHTSA

AAA Exchange

Continue reading "Reading When Driving Can Cause Chicago Car Accidents" »

Two people got hurt on Saturday when a woman crashed her car into a Curves fitness club in Lake Zurich. The Chicago area car accident victims, both club customers, were taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital.

The driver of the car, 65, was treat at the crash site and released. Police are investigating the cause of the Lake Zurich auto collision, which occurred at around 10 am.

They don’t believe that alcohol or drugs are a factor. They think the woman may have stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake as she pulled into a parking spot. She crashed her vehicle through two panes of glass.

Also this weekend, five people sustained injuries in a Chicago car accident on the Southwest side on Sunday. The two-vehicle crash occurred close to the Nagle and Archer Avenues intersection around 4am.

Two of the Chicago car crash victims were thrown from vehicles. One car accident victim severed an arm in the Illinois traffic crash.

Also on Sunday, four people sustained critical injuries and a Berwyn man died in a five-vehicle collision in the Southwest Side Little Village area. 35-year-old Jorge Serrano was pronounced dead at the Chicago car accident site.

The catastrophic Illinois auto crash took place at California Avenue and 31st Street around 3:30am. One of the vehicles fled the Chicago crash site.

Spinal cord injuries, severed limbs, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones are just some of the more serious injuries a car crash victim can sustain in a Chicago car accident.

5-car crash kills Berwyn man in Little Village, Chicago Breaking news, July 19, 2009

Man's arm severed, 3 others critically injured in crash near Midway, Chicago Sun-TImes, July 19, 2009

Two injured when woman drives car into front of Lake Zurich business, Daily Herald, July 18, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Justia

Cyber Drive Illinois

Continue reading "Chicago Area Car Crashes Injure at Least 11 People and Kills 1 over the Weekend" »

According to a new study published in the National Safety Council’s Journal of Safety Research, using a hands-free cell phone while driving is as much a safety risk as it is to talk on a hand-held cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. This is not the first study to support the idea that use of either kind of cell phone is equally dangerous and can lead to driver errors, traffic accidents, affect a motorist’s reaction time, and cause a driver to operate a vehicle at a slower speed—the latter is especially true for motorists using hand-held cell phones. Researchers say that slowing down could be a driver's way to compensate for the cell phone use.

The findings from this study are especially important for motorists in Chicago to know about. While there is no statewide law regarding cell phone use, each Illinois locality is allowed to decide what cell phone law to enact. In Chicago, there is a ban on hand-held cell phones. Yet, per the study, hands-free cell phone users are just as likely as their hand-held cell phone user counterparts to becoming involved in a Chicago car accident.

A study featured last summer in the journal Experimental Psychology explains why it isn’t safe to talk on any kind of cell phone while driving. Dr. Amit Almor, the University of South Carolina psychology researcher that conducted the study, says that planning to talk and actually talking to someone put more demands on the brain than it does to listen to someone speak.

He says experiment subjects were four times more likely to be distracted when they were preparing to speak and when they actually talked. He also noted that study participants were better at performing visual tasks when they were listening to someone else talk. It was also easier for participants to perform assigned visual tasks when they were listening to a voice that was in front of them rather than a voice coming from somewhere else.

Unfortunately, it is no longer unusual for a driver to cause a motor vehicle crash because he or she was talking on a cell phone or text messaging while driving. All of these behaviors are forms of distracted driving and can be grounds for a Chicago car accident lawsuit if someone gets hurts or dies.

If you do need to use a cell phone and drive, AAA recommends that you:

• Ask a passenger riding with you to make the call for you.
• Make the cell phone call brief.
• Get off the cell phone if you get caught in traffic or it starts to rain or snow.

New Study in NSC Journal Shows Hands-Free Phones No Safer Than Hand-Held Phones, NSC.org, July 9, 2009

Talking Distractions: Why Cell Phones And Driving Don't Mix, Science Daily, June 1, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Cellphone laws, Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, July 2009

Crashes caused by inattentive drivers are nothing new. Cell phones are the latest distraction, Via Magazine, May 2003

Continue reading "Preventing Chicago Car Crashes: NSC Study Concludes that Talking on a Hands-Free Cell Phone While Driving is Just as Dangerous as Using a Hand-Held Cell Phone" »

If you were recently injured in an Illinois motor vehicle collision, our Chicago car accident law firm understands that you may be feeling overwhelmed. Your initial reaction to getting rid of your anxiety may be to settle your Chicago, Illinois personal injury case without speaking to a lawyer first.

This is not a good idea. You likely will not know how much time it will take for you to recover from your injuries or how much it will cost you to get the medical and rehabilitation care that you need. There may even be more than one reason why you can hold a negligent party liable for personal injury, and there may be even more than one party that you can hold responsible for your Illinois car accident case.

If you agree to settle your case right away, you give away your right to negotiate the maximum recovery possible once all the accident evidence is discovered. This is why before you even speak to representatives for any other parties, Chicago Car Crash Attorney Steve Malman wants you to call him right away for a free consultation.

By exploring your legal options, you give yourself the chance to receive all of the compensation that you could be owed. Recent Illinois personal injury lawsuits that have been filed by negligent car accident victims include:

• James Jones is suing driver Gregory L Willyerd for over $50,000. Jones says that because Willyerd was driving too fast, did not keep a proper lookout, and was unable to control his vehicle, he struck the car that Jones was a passenger in. Jones says he sustained shoulder and back injuries as a result.

• Andrew Brewster is suing Lea Sayles for personal injury because he says she rear-ended his vehicle at an Illinois intersection. He is seeking over $50,000 for his spinal, neck, and back injuries.

• Tina Bivins is suing Heidi Huff. Bivins is accusing Huff of crashing into her vehicle. Bivins contends that the Illinois car accident happened because Huff did not keep a proper lookout, did not try to avoid a collision, and was driving too fast. Bivins says her body and nervous system were injured.

Illinois Court News, Madison/St Clair Record

What to do after a car accident, MSN

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Justia

According to 2007 statistics, there was a 17% decline in the number of US construction zone deaths from the year before. However, with 835 highway construction zone deaths in ’07—almost 2.3 fatalities a day—that’s 835 deaths too many.

Many people think that construction zone deaths and injuries only affect construction workers and road zone employees. However, 4 out of every 5 fatalities that occur in a highway work zone are motorists involved in Chicago car accidents. This fact is important to realize, considering that more construction projects are expected to set up work zones in the future.

While the parties in charge of the construction zones must set up the proper warnings and signs to indicate that there is a work zone on the road and workers must wear the proper protection and safety gear, motorists are responsible for driving safely through these areas so that more Chicago car accidents don’t happen.

Motorists can be held liable for Chicago personal injury or wrongful death if a vehicle occupant, a pedestrian, another driver, or a construction worker gets hurt because the driver caused an Illinois car accident in a work zone.

Steps Chicago motorists can take to prevent construction zone accidents:
• If you have to merge into another lane, do so as soon as it is possible to merge safely.
• Watch out for construction trucks and make sure that you keep a good following distance behind them.
• Do not talk on the cell phone, text message, or read while in a construction zone. In fact, don't do any of these activities whenever you are driving.
• Obey the posted speed limit.
• Watch out for construction workers.

Of course, Chicago car accidents can also happen in construction work zones because a construction worker was negligent or the parties in charge of overseeing the construction site did not set up the work zone properly. Some causes of Chicago motor vehicle crashes in highway construction zones:

• Debris
• Improperly set up cones
• Inadequate warning signs

Driver Education: Construction Zone Safety, National Safety Commission, July 10, 2009

Construction zone warning: Slow down, pay attention, May 12, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Illinois Department of Transportation

Roadway Work Zone Safety, National Safety Council

Continue reading "Prevent Chicago Car Accidents by Exercising Caution in Illinois Highway Construction Zones" »

The US Department of Transportation says that 1,043 people died in Illinois traffic accidents last year. Alcohol was a factor in 362 fatalities, while speeding was involved in 385 of the deaths.

Other 2008 Illinois Traffic Safety Facts provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• 133 Illinois motorcycle rider deaths
• 135 Illinois pedestrian deaths

2008 Traffic deaths in 10 Illinois Counties:
• 274 Cook County fatalities
• 44 Will County deaths
• 40 Kane County fatalities
• 36 Madison County deaths
• 31 St. Clair County fatalities
• 27 La Salle County deaths
• 26 Lake County fatalities
• 24 DuPage County deaths
• 23 Champaign County fatalities
• 20 Dekalb County deaths

The Illinois traffic fatality count was lower last year than it was in 2007 when there were 1,248 deaths. Nationally, there was an overall drop in traffic deaths and injuries between 2008 and 2007. There were 37,261 fatalities last year compared to 41,259 deaths during the year prior. Other substantial declines in the number of traffic fatalities included 25,351 passenger occupant deaths (29,072 fatalities in 2007), 11,883 drunk driving deaths (compared to 13,041 in 2007), 10,764 light truck occupant deaths (12,458 in 2007), 4,378 pedestrian fatalities (4,699 pedestrian deaths in 2007), and 716 pedalcyclist deaths (701 fatalities in 2007). Motorcycle rider fatalities, however, did increase from 158 deaths in 2007 to 188 fatalities in 2008.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that the annual total for the number of traffic deaths reached its lowest level last year since 1961. The trend appears to be continuing this year, with the first quarter of 2009 showing a decrease in traffic deaths compared to the same period in 2008. From January – March 2009, 7,689 people died in US traffic accidents. There were 8,451 fatalities for the first quarter of 2008.

There are many reasons why an Illinois motor vehicle accident might happen. Many catastrophic Chicago car crashes occur because another party was negligent.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: Overall Traffic Fatalities Reach Record Low, NHTSA, July 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
2008 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment Highlights, NHTSA, June 2009 (PDF)

Illinois Traffic Safety Facts for 2008, NHTSA (PDF)

Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities For the First Quarter (January–March) of 2009, NHTSA, June 2009 (PDF)

Continue reading "NHTSA Reports 1,043 Illinois Traffic Deaths in 2008" »

Did you know that driving while under the influence of a hangover can cause Chicago car accidents? While traffic conditions, traffic laws, and the way a driver handles a vehicle can all be determining factors of whether or not a person is able to drive safely, his or her state of mind is also important. For example, if you are running late for an important appointment, your anxiety may compel you to speed or try to run a red light without getting caught. If you have a high fever and you are driving, your mind may feel foggy, which could affect your ability to properly see your surroundings and might slow your reaction reflexes.

Hangovers can last as long as up to 24 hours after your Blood Alcohol Content hits 0. It can make you feel dehydrated, which leads to lethargy and lightheadedness. A hangover can cause you to experience glucose reduction, which could lead to exhaustion, decreased concentration, and a poor attention span. Hangovers can also cause sleep deprivation. All of these aftereffects can impede a motorist’s ability to stay alert and fully tuned in to the road conditions and the vehicles and pedestrians around him or her.

A study conducted in England at the Brunei University observed how a hangover can affect one’s driving compared to driving when sober. Among the findings:

• Hungover motorists were four times more likely to drive outside their lanes.
• Hungover drivers had a tendency to drive faster than sober drivers.
• Hungover motorists committed twice the number of traffic violations than their sober counterparts.

Many of us are aware of the dangers associated with drunk driving and are smart enough to avoid driving when under the influence of alcohol. However, just because a motorist may not know that driving with a hangover can lead to Chicago car accidents won't prevent him or her from being held accountable in a civil court for getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle the morning after a night of drinking because someone got hurt or died as a result.

You may be entitled to Chicago personal injury recovery.

The Hazards of Driving with a Hangover, National Safety Council, June 5, 2009

Impaired Driving, CDC

Drowsy & Distracted Driving, NHTSA

Continue reading "Driving with a Hangover Can Cause Chicago Car Accidents" »

In Illinois, John B. Roach and Louis M. Roach are suing Lauren D. Lewis for personal injuries they say they sustained on US Highway 50 on November 1, 2007. Their four-count car accident lawsuit is seeking over $200,000 plus other costs and relief.

According to their Illinois car crash complaint, Lewis was trying to swerve around another auto that was making a left turn when she hit Rhody R. Campbell’s vehicle. This caused Campbell’s auto to strike another car. The Roaches were riding in Campbell's vehicle when the traffic collision happened.

The couple says their injuries include head, shoulder, and neck injuries, a traumatic brain injury, multiple facial and body structure injuries, fractured vertebrae, multiple bruises, a spinal sprain, and ongoing knee and rib pain. John Roach also says that his post-concussion symptoms have led to memory loss, decreased vision, tingling, numbness, and problems concentrating.

The plaintiffs are each claiming loss of consortium, society, companionship, affection, love, and. They are accusing Lewis of failing to maintain a proper look out, disregarding the safety of others while driving, driving too fast, neglecting to properly use the brakes, not keeping her car under control, neglecting to exercise due care, failing to swerve or stop to avoid a crash, and failing to yield the right of way. The Roaches say they incurred medical bills and lost wages because of their personal injuries.

Illinois Car Accidents
We know how frustrating it can be to have sustained permanent injuries that have impaired your ability to maintain a normal life or perform daily tasks. Fortunately, there are ways to hold all negligent parties liable for your car crash injuries.

What to do if you are in a Chicago Car Crash:

• Stop at the crash site.
• Contact police.
• Contact 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
• Get everyone’s contact and insurance information.
• Document all the accidents facts.
• Contact your insurance company.
• If there is significant property or injury damage contact our Chicago, Illinois car accident law firm.
• Don’t negotiate a settlement agreement with the other party’s insurer without talking to us first.

Vision and memory loss claimed in accident suit, St. Clair Record, June 30, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents: Proving Fault, Nolo

Rules of the Road, CyberDriveIllinois.com

A deadly East Garfield Park car accident that occurred early this morning has left one person dead and at least three others with injuries. The Chicago motor vehicle collision occurred at California Avenue and Jackson Boulevard.

One of the vehicles, a Jeep Cherokee, burst into flames. Its occupants, with their clothes on fire, ran from the scene.

Details about what caused the fiery crash are still unclear, but one one the vehicles seemed to have flipped over. While one victim was pronounced dead at the Chicago car crash site, two victims, both 15, were taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition. Another victim was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital. Two other teenagers that were involved in the Illinois auto collision walked into the Mt. Sinai emergency room on their own.

Chicago Car Accident Lawsuits
The best way to determine whether you have grounds for filing a Chicago car accident lawsuit is to talk to a Chicago personal injury law firm that has experience dealing with these types of cases. You need to make sure that you have someone on your side that has the skills and resources to prove that the other party is liable for your injuries.

While driver negligence is one common cause of deadly Chicago motor vehicle crashes, there may be other reasons why a motorist could be held liable for Illinois personal injury or wrongful death.

Just last night, in Broadview, a female driver is accused of stabbing another motorist to death in an incident involving road rage. Police say the victim, 35-year-old Adrean Price, got into a dispute with a woman riding in another vehicle.

The two cars stopped at an intersection close to Eisenhower Expressway and they both left their vehicles to continue their discussion. The other motorist allegedly stabbed Price, who got back into her vehicle, drove to a gas station, and crashed into a parked vehicle.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office says Price was transported to Loyola University Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police say the other woman also was injured during the altercation.

Woman stabbed to death in road rage incident, Chicago Breaking News, June 26, 2009

1 dead, 4 hurt in Garfield Park crash, Chicago Sun-Times, June 26, 2009

1 killed, several hurt in East Garfield Park crash, Chicago Breaking News, June 26, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Nolo

Drivers.com

Continue reading "Fiery Chicago Car Accident Kills 1 and Injures at Least 3 Others" »

An Illinois motor vehicle crash on I-64 on Monday left three people injured on Monday. Police say the accident occurred because Breese resident Brian Kuper was driving the wrong way.

According to witnesses, Kuper was headed westbound when he drove into a turnaround area in the median and then kept going west in the eastbound lanes. His vehicle, a 1993 Pontiac minivan, was first struck by a Honda Odyssey before it collided with a Saturn. At this point, Kuper’s minivan rolled onto a Honda Civic before finally coming to a standstill.

Kuper sustained head injuries and was flown St. Louis University Hospital. The driver of the Civic, Lebanon resident Christopher Noeldner, and the driver of the Saturn, Frankfurt resident Douglas Jones, were also taken to the same hospital for minor injuries.

The wrong-way driving accident occurred approximately half a mile from where two sisters, 13-year-old Kelli Uhl and 18-year-old Jessica Uhl, died in 2007 when a car driven by an Illinois State Trooper crossed the median and struck the vehicle that they were in head-on. The Illinois Department of Transportation was supposed to install high-tension cable barriers in the median where the two girls died. Police, however, say Monday’s crash may still have occurred even if a barrier had been erected.

Wrong-Way Driving
Wrong-way driving can lead to deadly Chicago car accidents—especially as the motorist that is driving the wrong way is at high risk of hitting other vehicles in head-on crashes that can be catastrophic for the occupants of all vehicles involved.

Common scenarios that can lead to wrong-way driving accidents:

• A motorist enters a freeway through its exit.
• A driver ends up driving on the wrong side of the road.
• A motorist enters a one-way street but is driving in the opposite direction.

Many wrong-way driving accidents take place at night when Exit, Entrance, One-Way, and Do Not Enter signs are easier to miss.

Three hurt in crash caused by wrong-way driver on I-64, Bnd.com, June 23, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Negligent Driving

Illinois Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Wrong-Way Driver Causes Illinois Car Crash on I-64 that Injures Three People" »

A multi-vehicle Chicago car crash involving a Blue Line Train has left 9 people with injuries. The Illinois collision occurred on Thursday on the West Side at around 4am in a construction zone. DuPage County police say that speed and wet streets may have contributed to the Chicago car-train accident on I-290.

According to Illinois State Police, a 2008 white Dodge Charger driven by Melrose Park resident Jose Rivera rear-ended a 2007 Ford Taurus. The Ford then struck a guardrail while the Dodge jumped an embankment on the Eisenhower Expressway. It landed on train tracks and was hit by a Blue Line train. A fourth car, which was involved in the multi-vehicle crash, was damaged after the driver, Cicero resident Edmundo Mendoza, struck a concrete median in the highway construction zone.

At the time of the CTA accident, there were 30 people on the train. 9 people from the different vehicles were transported to local hospitals for treatment of neck injuries, back injuries, bumps, bruises, and trauma.

Investigators are looking into the crash. Rivera received citations for not having insurance and improper lane usage.

Chicago Car Accidents
Chicago drivers must operate their vehicles safely at all times. This may mean adjusting the speed of their vehicle to accommodate the road and weather conditions at any given moment to prevent injury accidents from happening.

Safety.com offers advice on how to drive safely when the roads are wet:

• Slow down
• Drive at a steady pace
• Keep an even greater distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
• Activate your headlights
• Don’t use cruise control when the roads are wet
• Don’t slam on the breaks if your car begins to skid

Chicago driver jumps I-290 crashing Blue Line train-9 injured!, Justice News Flash, June 13, 2009

Car Lands On The CTA Blue Line Tracks, WIFR.com, June 11, 2009

How to Drive Safely on Wet Roads, Safety.com

Related Web Resources:
Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident: Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Blue Line Train Injures 9 People" »

A head-on crash in Vermillion County involving a pickup truck and an SUV has claimed the life of a toddler. Hoopestown resident Zachary Howard would have turned 2 this week. The deadly Illinois motor vehicle collision happened on Wednesday at around 4:30 pm on Illinois 1 about 1 mile from Hoopestown.

According to police, a pickup truck going north on Illinois 1 swerved into the southbound lane to hit a Ford Explorer driven by 44-year-old Denise Goodrum in a head-on crash. Zachary, Samuel Howard, 25, Robert Irvin, 19, and a 15-year-old passenger were riding the pickup truck driven by 23-year-old John Schwartz.

Both drivers and two of the people in the pickup were transported by air to an Urbana hospital. Preliminary reports indicate that Schwartz may have swerved into the other lane to avoid a car that was turning in front of him that he did not initially see. Witnesses say that the pickup truck wasn’t speeding.

Pickup Truck Accidents
While pickup trucks do not fall into the same category as large trucks, they are still bigger and heavier than most passenger vehicles and can cause substantial damage and serious injuries in the event of a pickup truck accident.

According to the Department of Transportation, in 2006, motor vehicle accidents involving light trucks and passenger vehicles resulted in twice as many deaths as auto crashes involving just passenger vehicles. One reason for this is that a pickup truck’s bumper usually is placed in a higher location than where bumpers are placed on minivans and cars. This can cause the bumper of the pickup truck to strike the hood or side of the car, which can lead to serious injuries.

Toddler died in head-on crash, The News-Gazette, June 12, 2009

Toddler named in fatal accident, Commercial News, June 11, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Justia

Head-On Collisions, Safety.Transportation.Org

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Law Firm: Illinois Head-On Motor Vehicle Crash Involving Pickup Truck Claims Toddler’s Life " »

Last month, our Chicago car accident law firm posted a blog about a catastrophic Illinois motor vehicle accident involving a drunk driver that claimed the life of a 48-year-old Chicago Heights man. Now, Debrasha Piper, the daughter of car accident victim Calvin Hatten, is suing the alleged drunk driver, the vehicle owner, and the city of Chicago for her father’s wrongful death.

The deadly Chicago car crash occurred on May 10. Two days later, driver Juan Cayetano was charged with aggravated drunken driving and reckless homicide. He also received tickets for driving an uninsured vehicle and not having a valid driver’s license.

Hatten and his family were on 43rd street that evening when they were hit by a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier, operated by Cayetano, who had just run a red light. The impact of the collision forced Hatten’s car to collide with a Toyota Corolla that was stopped at a red light.

Hatten died from his injuries and seven other people also got hurt. Prosecutors say that Cayetano’s BAC was .206. The legal limit is .08%. Hatten leaves behind his two teenage daughters and his wife of 30 years.

Chicago Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents destroy not just the lives of the people that are killed and injured, but also the lives of surviving family members. Not only must the people that are left behind deal with the sudden and unnecessary loss of someone they love, but a young child may be forced to grow up without a father or mother, and a spouse may have to deal with losing not just a partner, but coping with the ramifications that come with raising and supporting a family alone.

Daughter of fatal-crash victim files suit, Sun-Times, June 4, 2009

Victims of Drunk Driving, About.com

Related Web Resources:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Chicago DUI Accident Lawyers: Recent Drunk Driving Crashes Cause Fatalities and Injuries, ChicagoCarAccidentAttorneysBlog.com, May 15, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Lawsuit Sues City, Car Owner, and Alleged Drunk Driver for Man’s Illinois Wrongful Death" »

A Fayetteville couple that were injured in a November 2007 Illinois car accident with a police car have filed their amended complaint suing the state trooper that was involved for personal injury. Kelly and Christine Marler submitted their personal injury lawsuit to the St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Their Illinois personal injury complaint accuses trooper Matt Mitchell of negligence for driving his police car at 126 mph, losing control of the vehicle, crossing the Interstate 64 median, and causing a multi-vehicle crash. Killed in the Illinois traffic accident were two sisters from Collinsville—18-year-old Jessica Uhl and her sister 13-year-old Kelli. The girls’ family is suing Mitchell and the state of Illinois for wrongful death.

Christine, who was pregnant at the time of the catastrophic Illinois auto accident, went on to deliver a healthy baby a few weeks after the collision. She did, however, sustain leg and knee injuries from the accident. Her husband Kelly sustained wrist injuries.

Mitchell sustained serious leg injuries during the Illinois auto crash. He was reportedly driving to the site of an unrelated motor vehicle collision when his car was involved in the auto crash that killed the Ulhs and injured the Marlers. This is not first time that he has been involved in an auto collision while doing his job. Following a low-speed Peoria accident in 2003, a $1.3 million judgment was made against the state after Mitchell was found at fault for causing the car crash.

Following the 2007 multi-vehicle accident, Mitchell was relieved of his duties but continues to get paid a salary. The assistant district attorney representing Mitchell is asking the circuit court to dismiss the case, claiming that it should be filed in the Illinois Court of Claims. Judge Patrick Young will hear arguments about this matter next month.

Lawsuit alleges trooper was on cell phone before crash that killed two Collinsville sisters, BND.com, June 5, 2009

Trooper in crash was speeding, on cell phone, suit says, SLT Today, June 7, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Read the Marlers' Amended Complaint (PDF)

Another Illinois Personal Injury Lawsuit Filed Against State Trooper Involved in Deadly Crash on I-64 that Claimed the Lives of Two Teenage Sisters, Chicago Injury Attorney, November 20, 2008

In Chicago, the City Council’s Finance Committee Chairman, Edward M. Burke, has introduced an ordinance telling the Department of Administrative Hearings to come up with a “red light education program” that Chicago drivers caught on red light cameras would have to take. The cost for the course is $25 and would focus on helping the motorists become repeat offenders. Drivers that did not complete the course would be fined $50. Already, red light camera runners must pay a $100 fine.

Burke says the course could help decrease the number of Chicago motor vehicle accidents involving people driving through an intersection even when they are supposed to stop at a red light. Statistically, 27% of the six million US motor vehicle crashes that occur every year take place at intersections.

According to US traffic statistics, about 153,000 people were hurt and nearly 900 others died in motor vehicle crashes involving someone running through a red light. About 50% of these victims were either occupants in the vehicle that was not running the red light or pedestrians.

Currently, there are red light cameras in 143 Chicago intersections that are known for spots for traffic accidents. Another 39 cameras will go up later in the year and by 2012, 330 Chicago intersections will have red light cameras. There has been a 59% decrease in red light running since the cameras were installed.

In 2008, the City of Chicago made $44.8 million from the 579,560 traffic tickets that were issued because people were caught on camera running red lights. Between January and March 2009, 148,612 tickets were issued to red light runners, generating $13.3 million in revenue.

Some Facts About Red Light Cameras in Illinois:

• Regardless of who drove through the red light, in Illinois, it is the owner of the vehicle that gets the ticket.
• An Illinois red light ticket will not affect your insurance rates or driving record.
• Under Illinois law, the red light cameras cannot take a picture of the driver’s face.
• Most Illinois red light violations occur on weekends.

Drivers nabbed by red light cameras may need school, Chicago Sun-Times, June 3, 2009

10 facts about red-light cameras, Chicago Tribune, April 8, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Q & A: Red Light Cameras, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Traffic Safety Fact Sheets, NHTSA

A woman who says the baby she was carrying died when she was involved in an Illinois car accident is suing the driver of the other car for personal injury. Jamie Heusohn filed her complaint in St. Clair County Circuit Court on her behalf and as the mother of baby Heusohn. The defendant of her Illinois personal injury complaint is Arthur Coplen.

According to Jamie, Coplen struck the vehicle she was driving on May 2, 2007 as he tried to make a U-turn out of a private residence. Her car ended up in a ditch. As a result of her injuries, Jamie says that the baby she was carrying died. She also sustained injuries to her wrist, stomach, and nerves and her car was totaled.

Her complaint accuses Coplen of trying to make a U-turn onto a highway and failing to yield the right-of-way. Jamie says the loss of her baby and her own injuries resulted in medical expenses, loss of enjoyment, pain and suffering, expenses from the damages to her vehicle, and lost earning capacity. She is seeking over $60,000 in damages.

In another Illinois car accident lawsuit, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Fershon Lockett is suing Patricia Takmajian for personal injuries. Locket says that Takmajian “violently struck” her car on May 22, 2007.

Lockett claims that she sustained serious injuries to her knees, neck, back, & body and, as a result, she accrued hospital expenses, could not tend to her usual tasks, and experienced anguish and pain. Her Illinois personal injury lawsuit accuses Takmajian of failing to observe her, failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to step on the brakes, failing to slow down her speed so that the accident wouldn’t happen, neglecting to give proper warning, failing to turn so she wouldn’t hit the plaintiff, and driving too closely to Lockett's vehicle. Lockett is seeking more than $50,000 plus costs.

Suit claims woman miscarried after Belleville auto accident, The Record, May 29, 2009

Eiler Road accident caused injuries, woman claims in suit, The Record, May 29, 2009

Related Web Resources:
What To Do If You Are in an Auto Accident

Personal Injury Resource Center, Nolo

A college student has died in an Illinois car accident close to Chicago. Andrew Galo, 22, was from Northbrook. He was riding as a passenger in a pickup truck when the vehicle drove off the road, hitting a semi-trailer that was parked close to an intersection. Galo sustained numerous injuries from the deadly Waukegan car accident and was pronounced dead at the crash site.

The driver of the pickup truck, 22-year-old Adam Burkhart, was treated at a Park Ridge hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He has been charged with reckless homicide. Police also charged him with speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. Waukegan police say the Gurney resident was remanded to the Lake County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Speeding and Drunk Driving
Speeding and drunk driving are two of the most common causes of fatal US motor vehicle crashes. When done together, they make an even more deadly combination.

According to a 2007 Talk of the Nation discussion with University of Hawaii psychology professor Leon James, people speed because it’s part of our culture to “do something fast.” He says that many people don’t think that driving above the speed limit is necessarily dangerous.

However, speeding is the cause of 30% of motor vehicle fatalities that occur each year—about 1,000 deaths a month. Speeding makes it harder for a driver to stop their vehicle in time during an emergency situation. It also narrows the distance between a motor vehicle and the vehicle or obstacle in front of the car. The faster the speed that a motor vehicle is traveling the greater the impact of collision in the event of a car crash.

Compound the issue of speeding with driving drunk and the outcome can be catastrophic for the drunk driver or others. Drunk driving impairs ones judgment and ability to gauge distances between the driver’s vehicle and the vehicles and other objects around, while slowing down a motorist's reflexes.

Student dies in car accident near Chicago, Media.dennews.com, May 28, 2009

Gurnee man charged with reckless homicide, Lake County News-Sun, May 27, 2009

Northbrook passenger killed in car crash, Gurnee driver charged, Northbrook Star, May 26, 2009

Psychology behind the wheel: Why do we speed?, NPR, June 7, 2007

Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Cyber Drive Illinois

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accidents: Northbrook College Student Dies in Illinois Motor Vehicle Crash" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding 15-passenger van users to drive carefully and exercise the proper safety precautions to prevent a tragic rollover accident from happening. Studies show that these large vehicles are at higher risk than passenger vehicles of rolling over—especially when fully loaded with luggage and passengers.

The NHTSA has reported that more deadly 15-passenger van accidents occur between the months of June through August than any other time of the year because the US summer months are usually when many families and other groups tend to travel together.

Latest NHTSA 15-Passenger Van Statistics:

• 15-passenger van occupant fatalities increased by almost 20% between 2006 and 2007.
• 15-passenger van drivers made up approximately 25% of these fatalities between 2003 and 2007.
• 45 peopled died in 15-passenger van rollovers—a 73% increase from 2006.
• Approximately 80% of people killed in 15-passenger van accidents over the past 5 years were not wearing seatbelts.

It doesn’t help that 15-passenger vans are designed in a way that loading the vehicle can result in its center of gravity shifting toward the rear, which increases the likelihood that the driver will lose control of the van during an emergency situation or that a rollover accident will happen. It is important to note that vehicle manufacturers are responsible for making sure that their motor vehicles are designed in such a way that the chances of a rollover or another deadly accident happening are decreased rather than increased. Failure to exercise this duty of care can be grounds for a products liability lawsuit in the event of a Chicago car accident.

That said, 15-passenger van drivers, like all motor vehicle operators responsible for transporting large groups of people on the road, must have the experience to safely operate such a large vehicle.

Consumer Advisory: Federal Government Restates Rollover Warning for 15-Passenger Vans Users, NHTSA, May 20, 2009

Fatalities to Occupants of 15-Passenger Vans, 2003 - 2007, NHTSA (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Safercar.gov

15-Passenger Van Safety Hazard Information, Public Citizen

Continue reading "Chicago Motor Vehicle Accidents: NHTSA Warns 15-Passenger Van Riders of Rollover Dangers" »

Is the Chicago police officer arrested for the Illinois hit-and-run death of 13-year-old Trenton Booker getting preferential treatment? That’s what Chicago Mayor Richard Daley wants to know. He is ordering the police department to conduct a probe into the matter immediately.

Bail was set at $2 million for Richard Bolling—although as of this afternoon, the Chicago police department still won’t identify him as the off-duty cop who was driving the speeding car that hit Booker, who was riding a bicycle, early Saturday morning. They are also refusing to release Bolling's arrest photo.

According to witnesses, Bolling was at a bar right before he got into his vehicle and hit the boy at the intersection of Ashland and 81st at around 1:30am. Police arrested the off-duty cop a few blocks away from the Chicago bicycle accident site after they saw his vehicle driving the wrong way down a one-way street. The state attorney’s office says there was an open bottle of beer in the car and Bolling’s Dodge Charger had sustained windshield and front-end damage.

The 17-year veteran of the Chicago police force was charged with leaving the crash site where an injury or death occurred, aggravated driving under the influence, transporting alcohol, driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street, and reckless homicide.

There are concerns as to why the Chicago police department did not administer a Breathalyzer test to Bolling until four hours after the deadly Chicago motor vehicle accident. Another eight hours reportedly passed before a blood test was administered to Bolling to determine his blood alcohol level. His BAC at that time was .079. The legal limit is .08%.

Booker’s family members have also complained that a court hearing on Saturday to set bail for the Chicago cop took place an hour ahead of schedule and that they weren’t notified of the change. Typically, bond hearings occur at noon.

A police arrest report says that Bolling did not appear impaired after he was given field sobriety tests. However, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney John Dillon said at the Saturday hearing that a witness that saw the Chicago cop at the bar said Bolling always had a drink in hand.

Favoritism shown in cop's DUI arrest?, Chicago Breaking News, May 26, 2009

$2M bail set for Chicago cop charged in hit-run death of boy, Chicago Sun-Times, May 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Chicago Police Department

Car Accidents Overview, Justia

Richard M Daley, City of Chicago

Continue reading "Chicago Hit and Run Car Accident: Mayor Daley Orders Police to Investigate Whether Cop Arrested for Boy’s Bicycle Death Was Given Preferential Treatment " »

Yesterday, the Illinois Senate approved a ban on text messaging and surfing the Internet while operating a motor vehicle. The measure would still let drivers pull over onto the shoulder of a road to search the Web or send and receive text messages without fear of reprisals from an Illinois law enforcement officer. A motorist would also still be able to use a cell phone for GPS purposes.

While some Illinois lawmakers, such as Sen. Kwame Raoul, are concerned the legislation would give locals cops an excuse to engage in racial profiling when pulling people over, others, including Sen. Martin Sandoval, who sponsored the legislation, says the ban would create safer roads. Text messaging has recently been cited as one of the reasons why car accidents happen.

The legislation now goes to the House for approval. Also on Tuesday, the Illinois Senate approved legislation that banned cell phone use in school zones and construction areas unless the motorist is using an earpieces with the phone.

Illinois Cell Phone Driving Laws
Currently, Illinois lets localities determine their own cell phone driving laws. Chicago has a ban on handheld cell phone use while driving. Statewide, teen drivers younger than age 19 cannot use a cell phone or any other hand-held communication device and drive a vehicle at the same time. School bus drivers cannot use a cell phone while there are children riding the bus.

A new study by Vlingo, the maker of mobile phone speech-recognition technology, found that 26% of people surveyed say they still text while driving even though they know that the habit can lead to fatal motor vehicle accidents. This is just a slight decline from the 28% of drivers that took the survey last year that admitted to text messaging while operating a vehicle. Also, among those surveyed:

• Almost 60% of teen drivers say the text while they drive.
• 49% of 20- to 29-year-olds confessed to texting while in the driver’s seat.
• 13% of drivers in the over 50 age group say the send, receive, and read texts while driving.

Illinois Senate OKs ban on texting or surfing while driving, Chicago Tribune, May 20, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Cell Phone Driving Laws, Governors Highway Safety Association

Driving While Texting Still Popular Despite Bans: Survey, VOXEO, May 20, 2009

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Lawyers: Illinois Senate Approves Ban on Text-Messaging and Internet Surfing While Driving" »

Throughout Illinois, police officers are telling motor vehicle riders to “Click It or Ticket.” Their efforts are part of a nationwide campaign, running from May 18 to 31, to remind people that they need to wear seat belts—or else face getting slapped with a ticket for the violation.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, seat belt use throughout the state was at 90.5% in 2008—up from 88% in 2006—with Illinois motor vehicle deaths dropping by 211 for this same time period. These figures are positive progress, considering that the US Department of Transportation has released new information revealing that 22,372 serious traffic injuries and 1,652 traffic deaths could be avoided annually if each US state logged in a seat belt use rate of 90%. Currently, the national seat belt use rate is 83%. This means that 1 out of every 5 vehicle occupants in the US is still not buckling up 100% of the time.

2007 data reveals that 15,147 lives were saved that year because people were using seat belts. Safety belts, however, can only be effective if they are working properly and free from defects. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, and car makers and seat belt manufacturers have had to recall motor vehicles because a seat belt defect was discovered—in many cases, after someone got hurt or died in an auto accident. Car accident victims and families have filed products liability lawsuits against seat belt makers and auto manufacturers for personal injury and wrongful death because a seat belt became unlatched or malfunctioned in another way during a catastrophic auto crash.

Also, as essential as it is that a person wear a properly working safety belt to decrease the chances of injury or death, there are still many motor vehicle crashes that occur in Chicago, the rest of Illinois, and throughout the US that claim the lives of seat belt users because a motorist or another party was negligent.

Research Kicks Off 'Click It or Ticket' Nationwide Enforcement Campaign Set To Run May 18-31, NHTSA, May 14, 2009

Illinois State Police launch 'Click it or Ticket' initiative, WREX, May 14, 2009

Related Web Resources:
The Increase in Lives Saved, Injuries Prevented, and Cost Savings if Seat Belt Use Rose to at Least 90 Percent in All States, NHTSA (PDF)

Safety Restraints, Illinois State Police

Continue reading "Preventing Chicago Car Accident Injuries and Deaths: Illinois State Police Tell Drivers and Vehicle Occupants to Either Buckle Up and “Click It or Ticket” " »

In DuPage County, Illinois, a woman accused of causing a Naperville drunk driving accident on Wednesday afternoon faces charges of aggravated battery in a public place, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving too fast for conditions, leaving an accident scene that involved damage, and failing to slow down the speed of her vehicle.

Margaret T. Puleo was trying to exit an apartment complex on Naper Boulevard in her 1997 Infinity when she struck landscaping rocks close to the driveway before hitting a 2006 Chrysler convertible at the intersection of Columbia Street and Chicago Avenue.

While Puleo and the other driver initially got out of their cars to investigate the DuPage County car crash site, she quickly got into her vehicle when she heard that police were on the way and that is when she hit the other driver, who sustained a serious, non-life threatening injury. Police apprehended Puleo less than two hours later. She is currently free on bail.

In another Illinois drunk driving accident, this one in Cook County, a Brighton Park driver was ordered held in lieu of bail for his alleged role in the fatal drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a Chicago Heights man on Mother’s Day. Juan Cayetano, 38, was charged with aggravated drunk driving resulting in death and reckless homicide.

Prosecutors say Juan Cayetano had a BAC of .206% when he ran a red light on Chicago’s South Side and hit a Lexus driven by a 48-year-old Chicago Heights resident. Calvin Hatten died from his injuries.

Police had been trying to apprehend Cayetano prior to the deadly Chicago car crash. His wife and two daughters were in the car with him when he hit the other car. His wife broke her ribs during the traffic crash. Another passenger fractured a leg. Cayetano was hospitalized following the Chicago traffic accident.

Drunk Driving Accidents
A driver who gets behind the wheel of the car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs seriously increases the chances that he or she will be involved in an Illinois DUI accident that could hurt or kill other people. Although a drunk driver may have impaired his or her senses enough to not know what he or she is doing, this doesn’t excuse the behavior or exempt the motorist from being held accountable for another party’s personal injuries or wrongful death.

Inebriated driver cuts swath of mayhem through Naperville, SuburbanChicagoNews.com, May 15, 2009

Suspect in DUI death ordered held in lieu of bond, Sun Times, May 13, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Drunk Driving, Insurance Information Institute

Continue reading "Chicago DUI Accident Lawyers: Recent Drunk Driving Crashes Cause Fatalities and Injuries" »

In Illinois, the man charged with two counts of first degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder in last week’s Humboldt Park car accident that left two people seriously injured and two women dead has been denied bail. Joshua Enriquez is accused of purposely rear-ending the vehicle that the victims were riding in.

The May 3 Chicago car accident took place close to Kedzie Street and Augusta Boulevard when Enriquez, in a Jeep, allegedly rammed his vehicle into the back of a Grand Am. The impact of the crash pushed the other vehicle into a tree, before it then hit several parked cars and rolled over. Enriquez than reportedly fled the crash site. He was arrested on Friday.

According to certain news sources, Enriquez allegedly got into a verbal altercation with the four women while at a gas station prior to the Chicago motor vehicle accident. One of the women is reportedly Enriquez’s ex-girlfriend, Karina Paredes.

The two people that died in the Cook County traffic accident are 19-year-old Nicole Mijares and 22-year-old Gabriella Almanza. Their respective causes of death were multiple injuries from a Jeep. Two other women were taken to local hospitals in reportedly serious-to-critical condition. They are Paredes and driver Maria Ortega, who is the sister of Almanza. Ortega sustained a fractured foot during the crash and had to have 57 stitches sewn into her face.

Enriquez claims he is innocent.

If you were injured in a Chicago car accident because another driver behaved recklessly or negligently—whether with malice or by accident—you may be entitled to Illinois personal injury compensation. If you were the victim of a violent crime that left you with injuries, you also may have grounds for filing a civil lawsuit seeking damages from the negligent party.

No Bail for Man Charged in Humboldt Park Crash, Chicago Breaking News Center, May 11, 2009

Car Crash Survivor: Suspect Could Have Stopped, ABC Local, May 11, 2009

Suspect held in deaths of two women in West Side car wreck, WBBM, May 10, 2009

Two women killed in Humboldt Park crash, Chicago Sun-Times, May 3, 2009

Related Web Resource:
Illinois Criminal Code

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident: Judge Denies Bail to Man Charged in Humboldt Park Auto Crash that Killed 2 Women and Injured 2 Others" »

An Illinois mother says her daughter got injured because the driver of the car the girl was riding in pulled away before she could get out of the vehicle. The Illinois car accident allegedly occurred on the evening of December 30, 2008.

According to Tracy Jenkins’s complaint, driver Nicholas R. McGraw had stopped the vehicle on Route 15 in Freeburg to let Megan Jenkins out but then tried to drive off before the girl was completely out of the auto. Tracy says that as a result of McGraw’s negligence in failing to tell Megan that he was about to drive off and neglecting to keep a proper lookout, the girl sustained extensive ankle and leg injuries and became sore, sick, disabled, and disordered, experienced suffering and pain, and accrued medical expenses. She is seeking over $100,000 plus costs on her daughter’s behalf.

Illinois Personal Injury
Depending on the circumstances surrounding an Illinois car accident case, you or your child may be entitled to recovery for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional damages, and disfigurement. Hedonic damages, for the loss of the ability to enjoy certain activities, and punitive damages to punish the defendant may also apply. Injuries to minors cases must be filed by the child’s parent, guardian, or another adult.

Just because you or your loved one was seriously injured in an Illinois car accident doesn’t mean you will instantly receive personal injury compensation. As the plaintiff, you will have to prove that the defendant is legally liable in terms of legal causation and actual causation.

A good Chicago car crash lawyer can do this for you, including determine whether there is more than one party that can be held liable for Illinois personal injury, such as a car maker, a tire manufacturer, local police, an Illinois city, or another entity.

Driver sued for taking off before passenger all the way out, The Record, May 5, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accident Overview, Justia

Car Accidents: Proving Fault, Nolo

In Chicago, police are looking for the driver of the car that killed two Illinois pedestrians while they were crossing the street in West Rogers Park on Monday night. The two people that died in the Chicago hit and run accident are 34-year-old Christy Cawthon and 50-year-old Yakho Oshana.

The two friends were walking against the crossing signal on Devon Avenue when they were hit by a red Honda Civic that then fled the crash scene. The impact of the motor vehicle crash threw Oshana into the air, knocking his shoes off his feet. He was pronounced dead at the crash site.

According to police, the car's driver crossed the intersection on a green light but failed to yield to the two pedestrians. One witness says that the driver hit the brakes after striking the victims before speeding off again. Police found the vehicle but are still trying to determine who was behind the wheel of the car at the time of the deadly crash.

Chicago Hit and Run Accident Claims
Even if you were injured in a Chicago car accident involving a hit and run driver, there are still steps you can take to make sure that you recover the maximum amount possible for your claim. An experienced Chicago personal injury attorney can work with your insurance company to makes sure that you receive the proper settlement for your uninsured motorist claim. If necessary, your Illinois car accident lawyer can represent you during any dispute that might arise with your insurer.

If the hit and run driver comes forward or Chicago police manage to apprehend him or her, then your Chicago injury attorney can push for financial recovery from the negligent motorist and any other liable parties. Serious injuries from a Chicago car accident can change your life, while losing your loved one died in an Illinois auto accident can be devastating. In either scenario, there will be costs and damages to consider.

Two friends killed by hit-and-run driver in Rogers Park, Chicago Sun-Times, May 5, 2009

2 killed in West Rogers Park hit-and-run, Chicago Breaking News, May 5, 2009

Related Web Resources:
The Tragedy of Fatal Hit and Run Accidents on America's Deadly Roads, Deadly Roads

Uninsured Motorist, Justia

Continue reading "Chicago Hit and Run Accident Claims Lives of Two Pedestrians" »

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted three front-to-front crash tests using a minicar or microcar and a midsize car for each one. 2009 model vehicles were used for each test, with both cars coming from the same auto manufacturer—Honda, Daimler, and Toyota. These tests showed that the smaller cars just don’t hold up against their larger counterparts when it comes to providing vehicle occupants with the proper protection.

Cars used in the IIHS tests:

• Smart Fortwo and the Mercedes Class C
• The Fit and the Honda Accord
• The Yaris and the Toyota Camry

While the smaller cars performed well in the IIHS’s frontal offset barrier test, they performed poorly in the frontal collision tests against the midsize vehicles. The bigger and heavier vehicle was always less impacted from the force of colliding with the smaller, lighter car, which meant that if actual occupants were riding in the smaller vehicles, they would be more at risk of getting seriously hurt.

According to crash statistics, in 2007 the death rate/million for 1-3 year old minis during single-vehicle collisions was 35. The death rate for very big cars was 11/million. Midsized cars have a death rate for single-vehicle crashes that is 17% less than that of minis.

Granted, smaller cars now come with electronic stability control, airbags, better safety belts, and added features. They also cost less and are more economical when it comes to using up gas. But larger vehicles also now have these added safety features in addition to the added protection of weight and size. And even though there are those who claim that smaller cars are easier to drive (which means a motorist can more easily avoid a potential crash scenario), insurance figures show that there are still more damage claims involving mini-4-door vehicles than midsized cars.

Regardless of the size of your motor vehicle, you are likely entitled to Illinois personal injury compensation if you were injured in a Chicago car accident because a motorist or another entity was negligent.

New crash tests demonstrate the influence of vehicle size and weight on safety in crashes; results are relevant to fuel economy policies, IIHS, April 14, 2009

Why small cars won't keep you safe, Forbes.com

Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Continue reading "Chicago Car Crash Law Firm: IIHS Tests Prove that Bigger and Heavier Cars Provide Greater Safety During Auto Collisions" »

US Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood wants car makers to test child safety seats so that they can make recommendations to parents about which products are the best and safest fits for each of their cars. He also wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to put together better safety standards for child safety seats so that kids are better protected during side-impact crashes.

The new Consumer Program, which would come out along with the 2011 model vehicles, will make it easier for parents to sift through the many child safety seat options that are available to them. Just because a child safety seat is considered one of the “best” seats available doesn’t mean it is the right one for your car. LaHood, however, was also quick to note that the child safety seats can only protect kids if they are used and used properly. The Department of Transportation says that half of the kids younger than age eight who died in US traffic accidents were not using child safety seats.

If your son or daughter was injured in a Chicago car accident because of a negligent driver or because the car maker or the maker of the child safety seat made a defective product, your child may be entitled to injuries to minor compensation. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether you have grounds to file an Illinois car accident claim or a products liability lawsuit.

Infants and toddlers are not as physically strong as adults when it comes to withstanding the force of impact during an auto collision. While choosing the proper child safety seat can minimize injuries or prevent death, sometimes serious injuries can still occur, resulting in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, and other traumas. The trauma of being in an accident and then having to undergo multiple surgeries can leave lasting scars on a child and his or her family.

We can’t undo what happened to you but we can help you get the financial resources that you need so that your son or daughter can get all the medical care he or she needs to live as normal a life as possible.

U.S. DOT Announces New Consumer Program for Child Safety Seats, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2009, American Academy of Pediatrics

Child Passenger Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Law Firm: DOT to Help Parents Choose Child Safety Seats that Fit Autos" »

A Cook County jury has awarded the family of a BMW salesman killed in a Chicago car accident $13.7 million. Roger Czapski died on August 4, 2004 while taking a client for a test drive in a BMW 530i. Inverness resident Christopher Maher was driving the car at a speed of around 90mph- more than twice the 45 mph speed limit for that area of Algonquin Road.

The BMW hit another car before striking a light pole and exploding. Czapski, 22, died in the fiery Illinois motor vehicle accident. Maher and two of his friends who were in the car with them survived the collision.

Maher was given a citation for driving 40 mph over the speed limit when the Chicago auto accident happened. Despite the substantial Illinois wrongful death award, Czapski’s father Mark says the money doesn’t bring back his son and that his own life ended when the 22-year-old was killed.

Speeding in Illinois
In Illinois, the maximum speed limit on rural interstates is 65 mph, 55 mph on interstate highways in or close to major cities and other highways, and 30 mph in urban areas unless otherwise noted. The maximum speed limit outside urban areas for campers, house cars, private living coaches, recreational vehicles, vehicles towing other vehicles, and vehicles that carry a gross weight of 8,001 or greater is 55 mph. Still, drivers are obligated to exercise the reasonable and proper in relation to the road and traffic conditions.

According to the Illinois State Police:
• 32% of deadly crashes involved speeding.
• Often, in speed-related accidents, only one vehicle was involved.

Ways to Avoid Speeding Accidents:
• Follow the posted speed limit
• Drive slower under less ideal road conditions
• Drive along with the flow of traffic
• Lower your speed at night
• Make sure your car is properly maintained
• Allow for sufficient stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
• Don’t drink and drive

$13 million for fatal 90 mph test drive, Chicago Sun TImes, April 22, 2009

Speed Limit Enforcement, Illinois State Police

Related Web Resource:
Speeding, Advocates for Highway Safety

In Adams County, 19-year-old Matthew Ruble has been charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence and two counts of reckless homicide in the deaths of two 18-year-olds. He also was charged with not wearing a seat belt and leaving a deadly crash site. If convicted of all charges related to their Illinois car crash fatalities, he could face up to 50 years in prison.

According to Illinois State Police, at around 2am on Sunday, Ruble was driving his vehicle on the wrong lane on Illinois 104 close to Five Points when his car collided head-on with the vehicle driven by 17-year-old Ashley Graves. Graves sustained serious injuries, while her two passengers, Alissa Zornes and Jordan Schieferdecker, died of their injuries. Graves, Zornes, Schieferdecker, and Ruble are all from Quincy. Ruble sustained facial injuries during the Illinois car accident.

Police say that Ruble tried to flee the crash site but was apprehended. He reportedly admitted to be drunk while driving and was more concerned about his pickup truck. Two witnesses who had also been riding on Ill 104 that night said that a pickup truck had nearly struck the vehicle they were in.

Prior to this deadly Adams County car accident, Ruble was a “person of interest” in an Illinois hit-and-run collision that occurred in Payson when a house was hit by a truck fitting a description matching the one that the 19-year-old was driving. He also had received a number of traffic tickets in Pike County and in 2008 was convicted of misdemeanor consumption of alcohol by a minor.

Not only can negligent Illinois drivers be held liable in criminal court for causing deadly car crashes, but they can be sued for wrongful death.

Matthew Ruble faces up to 50 years in prison after being charged in fatal crash that killed two Quincy teens, Whig.com, April 21, 2009

20-year-old Quincy man faces prison time, Connecttristates.com, April 19, 2009

Related Web Resources:
2009 Rules of the Road, Cyber Drive Illinois

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident Law Firm: 19-Year-old Quincy, Illinois Man Charged With Drunk Driving Deaths of Two Teenagers" »

The Chicago Police Department has revealed that thirteen of its officers were arrested last year for driving drunk. Five of these cops were involved in Chicago car accidents, with two of the incidents resulting in personal injuries.

Following the arrest of Detective Joseph Frugoli for the deadly drunk driving accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway that claimed the lives of two men, the Chicago Tribune had inquired about any driving under the influence violations involving Chicago police. The veteran Chicago cop’s blood-alcohol content was over triple that of the legal drinking limit following Friday's deadly car accident.

In the last four years, Frugoli was involved in two other Illinois car accidents but he was never given a sobriety test at either of the crash sites because police officers said he did not seem drunk.

Now, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weiss has revised departmental policy so that any police officer who thinks another cop is drunk must tell the on-duty watch commander who must go to the scene. The alleged intoxication incident must also be reported to internal affairs. Weiss also wants peer counselors in the department to receive advanced training on how to deal with alcohol issues and more steps will be taken to put out messages warning officers about the dangers of drinking too much.

Of the 13 Chicago cops arrested for DUI last year, all of them are still employed by the police department. Eight of those incidents did result in police officers being suspended without pay for a few weeks. In five incidents, officers were placed on leave or on desk duty.

Chicago cops arrested four of their own. Three other Chicago police officers were arrested in the suburbs, while six others were arrested out of state. So far, in 2009, three Chicago police officers have been arrested for DUI. Weiss is quick to point out that statistically, only 1 out of 1,000 Chicago cops was arrested for DUI in 2008. He did admit that it was the job of Chicago police officers to apprehend DUI offenders and not become one.

Alcohol impairs a motorist’s reflexes, decision-making skills, and abilities to stay lucid and respond quickly to changes in the environment. If you were injured by a negligent police officer or another motorist who was driving drunk or engaged in any other kind of negligent behavior, you may be entitled to Chicago personal injury recovery.

Chicago police and drunken driving: 13 officers were arrested in '08 for drunken driving, officials say, Chicago Tribune, April 16, 2009

Cop DUI's: 13 Chicago Police Officers Arrested For Drunk Driving In 2008, The Huffington Post, April 16, 2009

Related Web Resources:
$500,000 bond for cop accused of DUI in double-fatal crash, Chicago Sun Times, April 12, 2009

Impaired Driving, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Continue reading "Chicago Police Department Says 5 of the 13 Cops Arrested For DUI in 2008 Were Involved in Illinois Car Accidents" »

Chicago Police Officer Joseph Frugoli appeared in court today for a preliminary hearing over Illinois drunk driving criminal charges case involving the deaths of two young men, Fausto Manzera, 21, and Andrew Cazares, 23. Frugoli is charged with killing them in a drunk driving accident on early Friday morning while he was off-duty.

The two men had reportedly stopped their vehicle on the side of the road because of car trouble when they were rear-ended from the back by a Lexus SUV driven by Frugoli. The impact of the collision caused their car to explode.

The off-duty Chicago cop, who was injured in the crash, walked away from the accident site but was later apprehended by police. He has been charged with two counts of reckless homicide, one count of leaving the crash scene, and one count of driving under the influence. Prosecutors say that his BAC was reportedly three times above the legal limit. The 41-year-old Chicago cop, an 18-year-old veteran, has been relieved of his duties.

Yesterday, family members of the two Chicago car crash victims expressed dismay after Frugoli was released on $500,000 bail—an amount they consider to be small considering that two men died.

According to records, this is not the first Illinois auto accident that Frugoli has been involved in. In a January 2005 Chicago car accident also on the Dan Ryan, he reportedly rear-ended another vehicle. Recently, a Cook County judge ordered him to pay over $7,000 for an Illinois civil lawsuit related to the accident that was filed against him.

In January 2008, Frugoli reportedly hit a police vehicle and was cited for ignoring a stop sign (that ticket was dismissed). In 1990, he received a citation for driving 80 mph in a 50 mph zone. That ticket was also dismissed.

DUI cop back in court, Chicago Sun-Times, April 13, 2009

Dan Ryan crash: Off-duty cop held in collision that killed, Chicago Tribune, April 11, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Penalties for a DUI Conviction, Cyberdrive Illinois

Illinois State Police

Continue reading "Chicago Cop Charged with DUI Deaths of Two Men is Released on $500,000 Bail" »

According to Illinois state officials, there were 62 less teen driver deaths in 2008 than the year before—a 40% decrease. This decline is being attributed to a group of laws focused on keeping teenagers safe when they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.The state’s graduated driving laws mandate that teenagers earn their full driving privileges. .

Some of Illinois's Teen Driving Laws:

• Drivers, age 15, must obtain the consent of a parent or a guardian to get their instruction permit.
• They have to take a driver education course and pass written and vision tests.
• Permit must be used for at least 9 months.
• No driving convictions must occur during this time.
• A minimum 50 hours of drive practice time is required while under the supervision of an adult (age 21 or older).
• 10 of these hours must take place at night.
• Driving while using a cell phone is prohibited.

Drivers, ages 16 to 17
• This is called the initial licensing phase.
• The consent of a parent or guardian is necessary to get a driver’s license.
• The teen driver must not have any driving convictions for six months until turning 18.

For a complete list of Illinois teen driving laws, click on the related resource link below.

While Illinois teen driver deaths were at 155 in 2007, the number of teen motorist fatalities went down to 93 deaths in 2008. So far, in 2009 (through March 15), 16 teen drivers died in Illinois car accidents—compared to the 20 teen deaths that occurred during the same time period last year.

If you or someone you love was injured in an Illinois car crash because another driver was negligent, it is important that you speak with an experienced Chicago personal injury law firm so you can consider your options for financial recovery.

Teen driving deaths: 40% fewer teen deaths reported last year than 2007, Chicago Tribune, April 8, 2009

Related Web Resources:
CyberDriveIllinois.com

Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet, CDC

Continue reading "Number of Teen Driver Deaths in Illinois Motor Vehicle Crashes Went Down by 40% in 2008" »

A mother and her 7-year-old daughter are dead following an Illinois multi-vehicle collision in Barrington Hills on Saturday. Five other people, including the woman’s other daughter, were also injured in the Cook County car crash.

The deadly traffic accident occurred on Route 62 at around 9:22 in the morning. Two small cars and a van were involved. According to investigators, a Ford Focus, driven by 30-year-old Barbara Page, crossed the double lane lines, striking a 1997 Nissan Sentra. The Focus then struck a 1996 GMC head-on.

Page was pronounced dead at the crash site. Her two daughters, Madison, 6, and Angelina, 7, were rushed to hospitals. Angelina was later pronounced dead, while Page's younger daughter, Madison is alive but sustained head trauma, chest injuries, and lower abdominal injuries.

There were four passengers riding in the van at the time of the Illinois auto crash. They were all hospitalized for their injuries.

The Cook County medical examiner's Office, Barrington Hills Police Department, and the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team are investigating the deadly Illinois multi-car crash.

Head-On Car Crashes
• About 5,200 people die each year in head-on collisions.
• 1 in 5 deadly non-intersection accidents involve two motor vehicles in a head-on crash.
• 1/3rd of head-on crashes happen when a car is negotiating a curve.
• The remaining head-on collisions that occur involve vehicles that were “going straight.”
• Head-on collisions cause serious injuries and death; the force of impact from these types of auto crashes tend to be stronger because the cars involved are approaching each other from opposite directions.
• These types of collisions can cause serious injuries because the driver and front seat occupant are struck by other vehicle head on.

Barrington Hills crash: 2 dead, 5 injured in head-on collision, Chicago Tribune, April 5, 2009

Mother, daughter dead in Barrington Hills crash, Chicago-Sun Times, April 4, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Head-On Crashes Kill 5,200 Every Year

Safety.Transportation.org

Continue reading "Wonder Lake Mother and Daughter Killed in Cook County, Illinois Car Crash" »

In an 89-27 vote, the Illinois House passed a measure that would make it illegal for people to send and receive text messages when operating a motor vehicle. The bill, HB71, now goes to the Illinois Senate.

If the bill becomes law, it would go into effect beginning July 1, 2009. Illinois police officers would then be allowed to stop a texting motorist and issue a ticket to him or her. Text messaging would be treated as a traffic violation. This means that a ticket for text messaging would count toward the three violations that could result in driver's license revocation and even time in jail.

Critics of the bill have expressed concern that time in jail is too harsh a penalty for text messaging while driving—especially if there was no accident and no one was hurt. They also wonder how a police officer will know the whether someone is pressing buttons on a cell phone to make a call or to compose a text message. Supporters of the measure, however, are quick to point out that 120 people die every week in motor vehicle accidents because they were driving and texting or talking on their cell phones at the same time.

Currently, Illinois lets localities determine the laws regarding cell phone usage. Throughout the state, however, drivers younger than 19 and school bus drivers are barred from any kind of cell phone use when operating their vehicles.

Text Messaging While Driving
Text messaging on a phone or a PDA device while operating a motor vehicle is now on the list of distracted driving activities that can lead to deadly traffic accidents. Talking on a cell phone, applying make up, reading, bending down to pick up a fallen object, and reading are other examples of distracted driving.

The National Roads and Motorists Association says drivers who text message spend 400% more time looking at their phone instead of watching the road. Studies also indicate that drivers who text message while operating their motor vehicles are six times more likely to get involved in a motor vehicle crash. It doesn’t help that texting may sometimes require the motorist to take both hands off the wheel.

No texting while driving in bill passed by Ill. House, SLTToday.com, April 1, 2009

Ill. House votes to ban texting while driving, Chicago Tribune, April 1, 2009

Dangers of texting and driving, Fox 16, November 12, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Cell Phone Driving Laws, Governors Highway Safety Association

Illinois Driving and Cell-Phone Legislation, DrivingLaws.org

Continue reading "Illinois House Passes Measure to Ban Text Messaging While Driving" »

This month, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety presented consumers with a new rating system for ranking the strength of sport utility vehicles roofs. This will hopefully make it easier for buyers to pick safer cars when making SUV purchases, as well as compel auto manufacturers to make motor vehicles with stronger roofs so as to decrease the number of injuries and deaths that occur during rollover accidents.

The IIHS reports that over 10,000 people a year die in rollover accidents. This most often occurs when the roof of the vehicle gets crushed, ground, or deformed while rolling over. This is why it is so important for auto manufacturers to design SUV’s and other vehicles with strong roofs. Not only are stronger roofs less prone to getting crushed, but they decrease the chances that vehicle occupants will get hurt when they make contact with the roof.

Out of the 12 SUV’s tested (2008 to 2009 models), only four of them earned a “good rating:” The Jeep Patriot, the Honda Element, the Subaru Forester, and the Tiguan, which was rated as having the strongest roof. The Kia Sportage was rated as having the weakest roof, and received a “poor” rating. The Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V received “marginal” marks, and the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Nissan Rogue, the Chevrolet Equinox, and the Toyota Rav 4 received an “acceptable” rating for the strength of their roofs.

SUV Rollover Accident Facts
Rollover accidents can lead to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, crushed bones, spinal cord injuries, and death. Many times, a rollover injury will occur because an occupant is ejected from a vehicle, smashes into the auto’s front or side windows, or strikes his or her head against the roof.

If you or someone you love was injured in an Illinois auto accident because a driver was negligent or because the vehicle you were riding in was poorly made or defectively designed, please contact our Chicago car accident law firm to discuss your case.

Auto manufacturers are supposed to make sure that their vehicles are properly made and all safety precautions are in place to prevent injuries and deaths from occurring unnecessarily. At the same time, drivers are supposed to be careful and make sure that they don’t drive negligently and cause an auto accident.

Roof strength is focus of new rating system; 4 of 12 small SUVs evaluated earn top marks, IIHS.org, March 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Rollover: The Hidden History of the SUV, PBS

SUV Rollover Accident and Death Statistics, Georgia.gov

Roof Strength and Injury Risk in Rollover Crashes of Passenger Cars and SUV's (PDF)

Continue reading "With IIHS’ New Auto Safety Rating System Ranking SUV’s According to Roof Strength, Motorists Will Hopefully Buy Autos Less Likely to Cause Injuries and Deaths During Rollover Accidents " »

In the Illinois House, representatives have passed a bill known as “Bachman’s Law.” The legislation mandates that police officers activates their sirens and lights any time they are driving faster than the legal speed limit when they are on the job.

The bill was proposed following a deadly Illinois car crash involving a speeding police officer that claimed the lives of 21-year-old Aaron Bachman and 15-year-old DJ Bachman. The two brothers died in 2006 when the vehicle they were riding in was struck by a police car that was headed to a domestic disturbance call.

Prosecutors say Winnebago Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Boomer was driving at over 100 mph. Boomer admitted during his testimony at his criminal trial that he did not have his sirens or lights activated. The jury found Boomer not guilty.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Caused by Speeding Police Cars
Even when a police officer is rushing to an emergency call or engaged in a high speed police chase, he or she must still drive responsibly and safely so that a motor vehicle crash doesn’t occur.

In 2006, the city of Chicago spent seven million dollars to settle Illinois car accident lawsuits filed by people injured in police car accidents. Six million of these dollars went to two cases alone for police pursuits in 2001 and 2003 that led to injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one person a day dies in US police pursuits. About 1 in 3 police pursuits results in a motor vehicle crashes, and thousands of people (motorists, pedestrians, other bystanders, and suspects) end up getting hurt.

House passes law inspired by deadly crash involving police, WREX, March 25, 2009

City spends millions on cop car accidents, Medill Reports, June 5, 2007

Related Web Resource:
Bachman's Law, WIFR.com, August 8, 2008

Continue reading "Illinois House Passes Bachman’s Law Requiring Police to Activate Sirens and Lights When Speeding to Prevent Car Accidents" »

In Chicago, a 30-year-old man has been charged with one count of aggravated DUI, possession of a stolen medical transport vehicle, aggravated battery of a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, driving without a license, and reckless driving. Alberto Bustamante is accused of stealing an ambulance and causing a six-auto collision while speeding through Evanston on Tuesday afternoon. He also has been cited for failing to decrease the speed of the vehicle to prevent a traffic accident and disobeying a traffic control device. Several people were injured in the Illinois motor vehicle crash.

According to a preliminary probe, Bustamante allegedly stole the ambulance from a Chicago nursing home and drove it up Chicago Avenue into Evanston where he hit a parked vehicle off of Washington. He reportedly failed to stop at the crash site and kept driving the private ambulance at a fast speed until he drove through a red light and allegedly caused the vehicle pileup at Dempster where he struck three cars, totaling two of them, before attempting to flee the crash site on foot. Bustamante reportedly struggled with police who tried apprehending him, but he was eventually taken into custody.

Speeding
According to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, speeding is a factor in almost 1/3rd of all fatal US auto crashes. Not only does speeding increase the chances that a car crash will happen, but it decreases the amount of time a motorist has to avoid a crash while magnifying the severity of an auto accident.

Some Speeding Facts:
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that any time a driver accelerates a vehicle’s speed from 40 mph to 60 mph, it increases the energy expelled in a crash by more than two times.

• The IIHS says that when a number of states increased their speed limits in 1996, the speeds that motorists would operate their vehicles increased, as did the number of motor vehicle deaths.

• Speeding and alcohol can be fatal together.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in an Illinois car crash because another motorist was driving drunk, speeding, or engaged in another form of negligent driving, you may have grounds for filing a Chicago personal injury lawsuit.

North Side man charged with stealing ambulance, causing accident, Chicago Sun Times, March 26, 2009

Stolen Ambulance In 6-Car Crash In Evanston, CBS2Chicago.com, March 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Speeding, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "North Side Man Charged with Causing Evanston, Illinois Car Accident, DUI, and Stealing Ambulance" »

A tragic Illinois car crash in Jackson County has claimed the life of a 4-year-old child and injured his father and 7-year-old sister. The Carbondale traffic accident took place along North Illinois Avenue on Tuesday.

Tony McNeil-Davis’s vehicle was rear-ended and pushed into oncoming traffic where it was struck by a van. Seven people were transported to a local hospital. The McNeil-Davis family, however, was the hardest hit. 4-year-old Mathew died from his injuries while Tony continues to receive treatment for his serious injuries. Tony’s daughter, 7-year-old Meghan McNeil, was also injured.

A driver was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an Illinois car crash. According to Carbondale police, motor vehicle parts and kids’ school supplies were strewn all over the crash site.

Depending on the nature of an Illinois car crash, serious injuries can result for the victims. Young children are especially prone to getting hurt—even when they are safely secured in a child car safety seat or a booster seat.

Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, severed limbs, neck injuries, back injuries, internal injuries, and other serious injuries can occur. These catastrophic injuries can require extensive and costly medical care. An injured patient may experience emotional and mental trauma from the accident that may take years to recover from, and he or she may no longer be able to perform routine tasks without assistance.

While there is nothing that we can do to prevent you from having to undergo such traumatic and life-altering changes in your life, there are steps we can take to help you make sure that you receive all of the compensation that you are owed so that you have the financial resources that you need to recover. In addition to expensive medical procedures and rehabilitation and possibly ongoing nursing care, you may also lose benefits and wages from any time that you take off work.

Updated: Seven hurt in Carbondale crash, March 17, 2009

Friends Set Up Funds For Family Devastated by Car Crash, WSIL TV, March 26, 2009

Related Web Resources:
CyberdriveIllinois.com

DMV.org

Continue reading "Illinois Car Crash Kills 4-Year-Old and Injures His Father and 7-Year-Old Sister" »

In Chicago, five people were rushed to the hospital early today following a two-auto collision that occurred on the Loop. The Illinois motor vehicle crash, which occurred at Franklin and Madison streets after 1am, involved a Pontiac Sunfire, which was heavily damaged, and a Chevy Ventura van that landed overturned on a pedestrian crosswalk.

Four of the five people that were injured sustained critical injuries. Two of them were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital while the other two were transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. The four people riding inside the van declined medical care.

The cause of the Chicago car accident is not known at this time and an investigation is pending.

Every car crash is different, which is why, if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is important that you are represented by an experienced Chicago motor vehicle collision law firm that knows how to investigate and pursue your case. A good Chicago car accident law firm will know how to fight for your right to financial recovery. Not only does this include having the knowledge and experience to examine the evidence and prove liability, as well as advocating on your behalf when dealing with insurers and their legal representation, but your injury attorney must also know know how to assess your injuries and losses so that you receive all the compensation that you are entitled to and need.

Especially during accidents involving catastrophic injuries, your Chicago personal injury lawyer will need to know how to make sure that your ongoing and future medical expenses and any lost wages can be factored into the equation when advocating for your settlement or arguing for your verdict before a Chicago jury.

Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severed limbs, and severe burn injuries can take years—if not a lifetime—to cope with. A good Chicago catastrophic injury attorney will have the manpower and resources to make sure that you are taken care of and that your family has what they need.

4 Hurt In Loop Crash, WBBM780, March 20, 2009

Related Web Resources:
National Spinal Cord Injury Association

Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page

International Society for Burn Injuries

Continue reading "Chicago Car Accident on the Loop Critically Injures Four People" »

According to recent studies, using a cell phone can prove deadly whether you are driving or walking in an area where there are motor vehicles. The study, lead-authored by Rutgers University, Newark, Economics Professor Peter D Loeb, shows how pedestrian fatalities and motor vehicle deaths are increasing as a result of this growing bad habit. There are now about 100 million cell phones in use.

The studies, which examine motor vehicle crashes and cell phone use between 1975 and 2002, take into account the use of seat belts, alcohol intake, the speed of the vehicle, and the number of miles that were driven. The fatality-cell phone correlation seemed to apply even when these factors were in place.

Before there were so many cell phone users (in the late 1980’s and the beginning a portion of the 1990’s), cell phones appeared to help save lives because people were able to quickly contact 911 rather than rely on other ways to get help. However, once the number of cell phones hit critical mass at about 100 million phones in use, the “life-saving" effect became the “life-taking” effect on both motorists and pedestrians.

The specifics of these studies findings can be found in Transportation Research Part E, Elsevier, Vol. 45, Issue 1, January 2009 and “The impact of cell phones and BAC Laws on Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates.”

In another study that appeared in the February issue of Pediatrics, researchers found that kids that talk on cell phones while crossing the street increase the chances they’ll get hurt in a pedestrian accident.

Among the findings:
• Kids using a cell phone while crossing the street took 20 times longer to do so.
• These children increased their chances of getting hit by a car by 43%.
• Children with cell phones looked both ways before crossing the street 20% fewer times than kids who weren’t using cell phones.

Cell Phone Studies: Whether You’re Talking While Walking or While Driving, Cell Phones = Increased Fatalities, Rutgers.edu, March 4, 2009

Cell Phones Dangerous For Child Pedestrians, Study Finds, Science Daily, January 27, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, NSC

Illinois Driving and Cell-Phone Legislation

Continue reading "Cell Phone Use Increases the Number of Deadly Car Crashes and Pedestrian Accidents" »

A Chicago woman is dead following a deadly Des Plaines car accident on Sunday. Josefa Salgado, 51, was riding in a 1997 Ford Escort driven by Anais Bahena, also a Chicago resident, when Bahena failed to yield the right of way while turning left. A 1998 Honda CRV hit the car Bahena was driving.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Salgado, who was transported to Elk Grove Village where she was treated at Alexian Brothers Medical Center, died f several injuries. The driver of the Honda, Homer Glen resident Patricia Lindquist, received medical attention at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago and was later released.

Bahena was charged with failure to yield and will appear in court in April. Meantime, Des Plaines police are considering whether to install a red light camera at the intersection where the deadly Illinois auto accident occurred.

Failure to Yield Accidents
A “failure to yield” traffic crash involves a motorist failing to give way to the driver that has the right of way.

Examples of failing to yield include:
• Failure to yield to approaching traffic when turning left.
• Failure to stop the vehicle at a stop sign and let the driver who has the right of way cross the intersection.
• Failure to yield to a pedestrian at an intersection or a crosswalk.
• Failure to yield to an ambulance, a fire truck, a police vehicle, or another emergency vehicle during an emergency situation.
• Failure to yield at a flashing light.
• Failure to yield when merging onto a road or entering the freeway.
• Failure to yield to any traffic that has the right of way.

Failing to yield can be grounds for an Illinois personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit if a motorist, passenger occupant, or pedestrian gets hurt as a result.

Des Plaines accident kills Chicago woman, Daily Herald, March 9, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Illinois DMV Guide
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Chicago Woman Dies in Des Plaines Car Accident" »

In Illinois, one teenager is dead and another is injured after teen driver Dalton Mittendorf crashed a Jeep Liberty into a utility pole. The 17-year-old teen motorist is accused of driving the vehicle at a high speed when it jumped a hilltop, running off the road before striking the pole and overturning.

17-year-old Kelsey E Glass, a passenger in the Jeep, was pronounced dead at the Illinois motor vehicle accident site. Another teen passenger, 17-year-old Frank E Fortman III, sustained minor injuries.

Mittendorf, who suffered serious injuries, was transported by air to the hospital. According to the Illinois state police, Glass and Mittendorf did not appear to be wearing seat belts when the auto accident happened.

The AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety says that while teen driving accidents can cause serious or deaths among teenage drivers, the occupants of the vehicle, other motorists, and pedestrians are at even higher risk of getting hurt or dying:

• 28,138 people were killed in teen driving accidents from 1998 through 2007.
• About 30% of the victims were the teen motorists.
• The rest of the victims were people who were riding in the vehicles with the teen drivers, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and pedalcyclists.

Risks associated with teen drivers:

• Lack of experience
• Tendency to speed drive
• Drunk driving
• Failure to wear seat belts
• Distracted driving

Unfortunately, motor vehicle crashes tend to be a leading cause of deaths among teenagers. Illinois’s graduated licensing program gives teen drivers the opportunity to gain experience and develop safety skills before they becoming fully licensed.

Belknap teen dies in car crash, KFVS.com, March 3, 2009

Teen crashes more likely to kill others, WIVB.com, March 2, 2009

Graduated Licenser Service, Cyber Drive Illinois
Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Related Web Resources:
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Beginning Teenage Drivers, NHTSA

New Teen Drivers

Continue reading "Illinois Teen Driving Accident Kills One Teenager and Injures Another" »