Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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.