Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

ABC7 is reporting progress in a hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident that injured four, including three children.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers know the devastating injuries that can result when careless drivers crash into pedestrians. We have represented clients who have sustained spinal cord injuries, organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, permanent disfigurement, and other serious injuries caused by reckless drivers.

Chicago law enforcement have found the SUV involved in a recent hit-and-run accident that left a mother and her three children -- ages 7, 3 and 3 months -- injured. All four were hit while crossing a street near Jackson and Paulina. Witnesses say the driver of a green Mazda SUV was heading northbound on Paulina when a red Chevy Blazer ran through the red light on Jackson, striking the Mazda, which in turn struck the victims crossing the street.

"We had victims in the crosswalk at the time of the impact from the two vehicles causing this vehicle, the Mazda, to strike the pedestrians in the crosswalk," said Chicago Police Department Investigator Elliott Musial.

The red Chevy Blazer, the alleged hit-and-run vehicle, was found by police a few blocks away, but the driver was gone. Police have identified the owner of the vehicle but don't know if he was driving at the time of the crash. Thanks to witnesses, police have a description of the driver and hope to have him in custody soon.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents include drunk driving, text messaging, talking on a cell phone, speeding, failure to obey traffic signs and lights, driver inexperience and poorly designed roads.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates a pedestrian dies every two hours as a result of traffic crashes. Nationally in 2009, at least 4,000 pedestrians lost their lives and an additional 59,000 were injured in traffic-related crashes. In Illinois, over 12 percent of the total traffic-related fatalities were pedestrians (111).

Other facts related to pedestrian fatalities include: 72 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred in an urban setting compared to a rural setting; 76 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred at non-intersections compared to at intersections; roughly 90 percent of pedestrian fatalities happened during normal weather conditions, versus rain, snow and fog; and almost 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities happened at nighttime.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers remind you that even if the driver that hit you wasn't charged in criminal court, you might be able to hold them accountable in civil court. You may be entitled to personal injury compensation, which means the negligent driver could be ordered to pay damages for the injuries you have suffered.

Continue reading " Pedestrians at High Risk of Hit-and-Run Accidents in Chicago " »

June 12 through 18 marked the National Safety Council's (NSC) Teen Driver Safety Week in conjunction with National Safety Month throughout June. This annual observance is designed to teach and encourage safe behaviors related to driving.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers know that car crashes kill more teens than the combined total of homicide, suicide and unintentional drug overdose, which are the next three leading causes. Sadly, we know that many teens will die in a summer car crash. New drivers have the greatest risk for being involved in an accident in their first year and first 1,000 miles they drive.

The NSC website is offering the following:

-Teen Driver: A Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety – This material helps parents manage their teen’s passage from beginner to independent driver. The material includes a written parent/teen driving agreement to help identify driving rules, restrictions and consequences.

-Alive at 25 Parent Program online training – In this two-hour online program, parents will be taught how to emphasize good decision-making and basic driving skills that can assist teens in becoming responsible, safe drivers.

-How can I keep my teen driver safe? This webinar will answer such questions as: How can parents and teens work jointly to decrease crash risk? What activities contribute to the largest number of teen driving crashes?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an average of eight teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries in 2009. Teen drivers, per miles, are four times more likely to crash than older drivers. What puts teen drivers at risk? A few risks include having too many passengers in the vehicle, inexperience, night driving, distracted driving and drunk driving.

Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway have joined together to promote safe driving. Fans will be asked to sign the "Buckle Up America pledge: I Pledge to BUCKLE UP, Every Trip, Every Time and that all passengers in my vehicle will be properly restrained at all times." Adult race fans will be asked to sign the "Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk" pledge.

"We are pleased to join forces once again with racing fans at Chicagoland Speedway to promote traffic safety and positively impact millions more race fans in Illinois and across the nation," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. "By promoting programs that increase safety belt usage and prevent impaired driving, NASCAR and Chicagoland Speedway events promise to remain a safe and enjoyable time for everyone. We hope to see many more fans commit to traffic safety this year."

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says the next 100 days are the deadliest for teen drivers.

MADD wants parents to remind their young drivers to:

-Never drink and drive.

-Wear a seat belt.

-Don't use any electronic devices while driving.

-Keep passengers and night time driving to a minimum.

Continue reading " Safe Teen Driving Targeted to Reduce Chicago Car Accidents During National Safety Month in June " »

A recent one-car accident in Chicago injured three and killed a toddler, according to the Chicago Tribune. Illinois state troopers determined that alcohol was a contributing factor in this accident that happened on the Dan Ryan Expressway near 75th Street

Four additional women were also injured in the accident that closed the roadway for nearly 2 hours during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys continue to see too many preventable injuries and deaths resulting from intoxicated driving. The Memorial Day holiday weekend, and other holiday weekends, present an increased risk of drunk driving traffic accidents. One of the only ways to prevent these fatal incidents is to make smart choices and to stay out of your vehicle after consuming alcohol or after consuming any other types of drugs.

The female driver was taken to Stroger Hospital and is now facing DUI charges.

The 11-month-old child was taken to the Cook County medical examiner's office and was pronounced dead later in the evening. According to the examiner's office, the toddler would have turn a year old this month.

The accident occurred as the driver lost control of the vehicle that carried four women and four children. The vehicle struck a guard rail, according to police. Three of the four children were ejected from the vehicle as they were not properly restrained in child safety seats or wearing seat belts, according to authorities.

The three children who survived the accident were taken to the Comer Children's Hospital and were listed in serious to critical condition. One of the adults was taken to the Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and was listed in serious to critical condition. Two other adults were transported to the University of Chicago Hospitals and remain in fair to serious condition, reports Fire Department officials.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 11,000 fatalities because of traffic accidents that involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher in 2009. These accidents accounted for more than 30 percent of total traffic deaths for the entire year. In that same year, Illinois saw nearly 400 fatalities from traffic accidents that involved an intoxicated driver.

Alcohol Problems and Solutions offers you these tips to help keep you and you loved ones safe from jumping behind the wheel after consuming alcohol:

-Volunteer to be a designated driver.

-Take keys away from friends or family members that have been consuming alcohol.

-Coordinate a group cab or a stay at a hotel if you and your friends have been drinking.

-Remember that the consumption of alcohol, of any amount, greatly reduces your driving ability and your ability to react behind the wheel.

-Never instigate or encourage excessive alcohol consumption. Intoxicated behavior is dangerous, not amusing.

Continue reading " Accused Drunk Driver in Illinois Takes the Life of a Toddler " »

A family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city after their family member died in a car that went into the North Branch of the Chicago River, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

Our Illinois car accident lawyers know that about 300 people die tragically every year from vehicle submersion car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere throughout the state.

The family of the young woman, a model and college student, is claiming better barricades and warning signs might have prevented the crash. The victim was found by a Chicago Police Marine Unit dead in her car that was submerged in the Chicago River around the 1100 block of West Blackhawk Street. A text message she sent to a friend confirms she was in that area trying to find her way to a nightclub.

Drivers who are unfamiliar with the area are in serious danger of being involved in a submersion accident. The city issued a statement that there is a "no outlet" sign on the street, the street is well-lit, and there is an 8-inch curb at the end of the street. The family is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

Here are some valuable safety tips regarding vehicle submersion:

-You can escape a car that has just hit the water by opening the door. This needs to be done quickly before enough water is pressing the doors closed.

-If too much water is against the doors, you must wait until the entire car is filled with water to open the door and escape. When the pressure inside and outside the car is equal, the door will open easily. Don't attempt to open the door until the car is full - save your strength and oxygen.

-You cannot use your arms or legs to punch out a window. You can break windows with a window-breaking hammer and spring- loaded center punches. Car windows will not break with blunt objects; these devices have a pointed tip that will shatter the window.

-It is extremely difficult to escape a submerged car that has flipped over.

-Power windows on a submerged vehicle generally do not work; they might work briefly in fresh water. If you have an older car with crank windows, hand cranking won't work. You will most likely break the handle before budging the window.

Continue reading " Submersion car accidents a risk to Chicago drivers and others " »