Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Our Chicago injury attorneys know that the arrival of warm weather unfortunately also brings with it an increase in the number of motorcycle crashes in Illinois. As the temperature increases, more motorcyclists are on the road, and the number of fatalities multiplies exponentially.

The last reported statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation – Division of Traffic Safety show that more than 50% of motorcycle accidents occur in the summer months. That means that more than half of the crashes are packed into only one of the four seasons. Now is the time when motorcycle safety information is especially important.

Just this month, the town of Rockford, Illinois was shaken by a major motorcycle accident in which the bike collided with a news-media SUV. According to the Rockford Register Star, the driver of the motorcycle, a 23 year-old citizen of Winnebago County, died ten days after the accident as a result of traumatic brain injuries.

Certainly motorcycles can be a lot of fun, but they can also be very dangerous if you aren’t well-prepared. In fact, 14% of traffic collisions involve motorcyclists, but motorcycles only account for 3% of registered vehicles in Illinois. So as a motorcyclist, what can you do to help prevent accidents?

1. Wear a helmet. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation – Division of Traffic Safety, approximately 82% of the motorcyclists killed were NOT wearing a helmet.
2. Drive in daylight and on week days. In 2009, 59% of the fatal crashes involving motorcycles occurred during the weekend.
3. Don’t drive a motorcycle if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
4. Obey traffic signs and controls.
5. And pay attention. Weather and roadway surface conditions are generally not factors in crashes that result in motorcycle fatalities. In 2009, approximately 93% of such crashes occurred in clear weather, on dry pavement, so you should always drive defensively to increase your odds of avoiding a collision.

Enjoy the warm weather, but BE CAREFUL!

Continue reading " Summer Months Mean More Motorcycle Crashes in Illinois " »

The Chicago Tribune reported this week on an Illinois car accident on Interstate 290 that injured three individuals, including two construction workers. The construction zone accident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday in the westbound lanes of the Eisenhower Expressway.

Police report that a 32-year old man was traveling on the highway near Route 83 in Addison when he suddenly drove onto the left side shoulder of the road in the middle of a construction zone. As a result, his minivan slammed into an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) truck and then spun around before hitting a second IDOT truck.

The minivan driver had to be extricated from the vehicle. The man was flown to a nearby hospital in serious condition. Two construction workers were also injured, though none of their injuries appeared life-threatening. Citations against the negligent driver were pending.

This accident reveals that very reason that traffic laws are different in construction zones. The lives of IDOT workers are on the line when drivers fail to use proper caution in these areas. Drivers who flaunt work zone speed limits are usually hit with substantial fines, beginning at $375 dollars. Repeat offenders are subject to a $1,000 fine and loss of license for 90 days. Anyone who hits a worker in one of these areas is subject to a $10,000 fine and up to 14 years in prison for their conduct.

The Illinois State Police Director explained that “As the work zone season is well underway, we want to remind motorists the importance of slowing down and staying alert when workers are present.”

Continue reading " Illinois Construction Zone Accident on I-290 Injures Three " »

Recently, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention published an article detailing the increasing medical and work-loss costs that result from motor vehicle accidents. According to the article, over 30,000 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents each year and the costs (medical and work-loss) of those accidents totaling $41 billion. California was at the top of the list with $4.16 billion while Illinois motor vehicle accidents were in 8th with $1.32 billion.

In order to prevent such significant losses, life and monetary, the CDC recommends that states adopt the following strategies. Those policies include: stricter child passenger policies, advanced driver’s education for teenagers, mandatory motorcycle helmet laws, in addition to, mandatory seat-belt laws. The CDC extensively encourages the need for compulsory seat belt laws due to the fact that seat belts reduce the risk of death in half in the event of an accident.

Fortunately, just this week, Illinois adopted stricter seat belt laws to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, all passengers, including those riding in the back seat of a car, are now required by law to wear their safety. Illinois police officers are allowed to stop cars and trucks where they see unbuckled passengers and may fine violators up to $25.

Our Illinois accident attorneys strongly encourage the use of all safety precautions in motor vehicles, whether you are the operator or passenger of one, especially the use of seatbelts. It is sometimes easy to forget about the safety feature that could one day save the life of you or your loved ones. With the 4th of July quickly upon us and more vehicles traveling the roadways it is always important to remember – “Click It or Ticket.”

NBC Chicago News reported today on a tragic Chicago taxi accident that occurred this morning that took the life of a pedestrian and critically injured two others. Police report that the driver of a Chicago Checkered Cab lost control of the taxi in Streeterville near the Illinois and Columbus Avenue intersection.

Investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of the Chicago cab accident. However, witnesses report seeing that cab traveling erratically moments before the accident. One individual nearby explained that the taxi was speeding east on Illinois Avenue before cutting off another cab on the same street. Not long later the reckless cab driver lost control of the car. It apparently skidded sideways before hitting a pedestrian and then slamming into a wall near the Embassy Suites garage.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Both the cab driver and one passenger were in critical condition and rushed to Northwestern University Hospital. The passenger had to be cut out of the car.

This deadly Chicago cab accident is yet another reminder of the consequences of reckless driving. Our Illinois injury attorneys at Levin & Perconti understand the damage suffered by families following these high-profile area accidents. We work to hold negligent drivers accountable in order to send a message to the public that careless driving will not be tolerated.

For example, we are currently working on behalf of Stephen Dewart who was severely injured after being run-down by a Chicago city truck on Rush Street. The city employee in that case was under the influence of alcohol at the time. We previously secured at $10 million settlement for a 5-year old boy who was run over by a City of Chicago Fire Department truck. And last year we helped a family achieve a $6.5 million settlement after a 32-year old woman who was killed when their car was rear-ended by a reckless semi-truck driver. We have negotiated many other multi-million dollar settlements for pedestrians and others injured in road accidents.

Continue reading " Streeterville Taxi Accident Kills Chicagoan " »

The State-Journal Register reported today on a tragic Illinois car accident that killed two and injured four.

The two-vehicle accident struck in southern Illinois about five miles north of Greenfield in Green County, Illinois. Police reports indicate that a Chrysler Town & Country van was headed southbound on Illinois 267 when the driver lost control of the van on the wet pavement. The out-of-control van eventually crossed the center line and collided with another van headed in the opposite direction.

The first van was struck on the front of the passenger side of the vehicle. The impact sent the errant van back into the southbound lanes before flipping over. The second van was forced off the road in the collision, eventually sliding down an embankment and coming to rest against a tree.

The driver and passenger in the van that slipped on the pavement were killed. Two children in the backseat were severely injured. The driver and a passenger in the second van were also seriously injured but are expected to survive.

Drifting across lanes on roadways such as this remains a problem. When traffic heading in opposite directions at high speeds is separated by nothing more than a painted line on the road, there is a real risk of dangerous collisions.

Continue reading " Illinois Car Crash Kills Two and Injures Four " »

A deadly Illinois car accident struck on a local highway early this morning according to reports in the Chicago Tribune. Police explain that the car accident occurred shortly after midnight in the southbound local lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway.

A 34-year-old local driver was in the stretch of highway near the 63rd Street exit when he attempted to change from the far left lane to the far right. While doing so, he misjudged the speed of a car in front of him and rear-ended the vehicle. The collision sent both cars into a nearby guardrail.

Unfortunately, the driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. He suffered devastating injuries in the collision and was rushed to a local hospital. However, there was nothing that medical professionals could do, and he was pronounced dead a few minutes after arrival.

This latest Chicago car accident reveals the importance of keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. This common sense tip is even more important when it comes to traveling on the highway. Higher speeds mean that it takes more time and more distance for vehicles to slow down and come to complete stops. There is nothing that can be done to change the rules of physics. It is vital to plan ahead in case the vehicle in front of you stops without warning. The only way to do that is to give yourself enough room to bring your vehicle to a complete stop in time.

Continue reading " Chicago Car Accident on Dan Ryan Kills Area Man " »

The Southtown Star reported today on a Chicagoland car accident involving a car and a Pace bus. Details remain sketchy at this point, but it was confirmed that the driver of the car and a young child passenger were both taken to a local hospital with injuries following the car accident.

It seems that the car with the mother and child somehow rear-ended the Pace bus in Orland Park at the corner of 159th Street and 91st Avenue. Pace is the company that operates the suburban bus system network. Police have not confirmed what caused the collision, whether it was the negligence of the bus driver or some mistake made by the car driver. Fortunately, none of the ten Pace passengers was injured. Police report that the young child was not strapped into a car seat at the time, even though a seat was present in the car.

There is a reason why state lawmakers have passed legislation requiring seat-belt use for all drivers and passengers, with particular emphasis on the adequate restraint of children. Seatbelts are quite frequently the difference between walking away from an accident and suffering severe injury or death. Even when one is in a car for a short time, there is no excuse for not buckling up. That rule is even more apparent when it comes to mandating the proper use of child-safety restraints every time without exception.

Continue reading " Suburban Mother & Daughter Injured in Bus Accident " »

Recently, our Chicago accident attorneys read an article detailing an accident victim’s struggle to receive adequate compensation from his own insurance company. The plaintiff, a Florida middle school science teacher, was severely injured when another vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with his vehicle – according to Lehighacrescitizen.com. Without delay, the victim received $25,000 from the other driver’s insurance company, but it was not enough to pay for the extensive medical bills that arose from spine and wrist fractures the injured party acquired in the accident.

When the injured party sought relief from his own insurance company, under his Uninsured Motorist policy, the company refused to pay out the entire $2,000,000 UM coverage the victim had purchased in case a situation like this arose. When the company made a $190,000 payment to the victim, a sum significantly less than the policy he purchased, the victim filed suit. Ultimately, the jury decided in favor of the plaintiff and awarded him over $3,000,000 for the damages incurred. Those damages included; previous medical expenses from the surgery he was required to undergo after the several fractures he sustained, future medical expenses for the extensive therapy to regain movement in his arms and hand, loss of earning ability, as well as, the pain and suffering that resulted from the effects of the accident.

Our own Chicago accident attorney Susan Novosad, who has dealt extensively with cases of motor vehicle accidents and insurance policy limits, provides helpful advice to help drivers avoid situations such as this one. Susan explains that, “drivers need to take steps to protect themselves.” In order to do this, she adds, “Drivers should begin this process by contacting a qualified insurance professional for rate information for uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage to provide added insurance protection. Let your insurance professional know that you want to take steps to protect yourself and your family in the event of a serious accident caused by a driver either without insurance or with low liability insurance policy limits.”

Last week Chicagoist published a post on the increased enforcement of traffic laws against bicyclists. We have often reported on the need for cars to recognize bikes as legitimate travelers on our city’s streets. However, at the same time, it is vital that all bicyclists understand that their treatment must be mirrored by proper adherence to all traffic laws. Far too often area bicyclists are running red lights, peddling in crosswalks, and committing other violations of basic road rules leading to a Chicago bike accident.

Many area travelers know that an antagonism often exists between drivers and bicyclists. Each side often assumes that the other is unfairly using the roadways while failing to travel safely. The misunderstandings often lead to risky behavior by both drivers and cyclists, resulting in increased accidents.

Decreasing the amount of Illinois bicycle accidents requires a two-part approach. On one hand, all travelers must be made aware of the laws. For example, drivers must understand that they are required to give bicyclists enough room to travel and must look before opening their doors while parked. Similarly, bicyclist must know rules like their requirement to travel as far to the right as possible and walk their bikes in crosswalks.

Once the rules are understood, proper enforcement must be conducted to ensure that all travelers actually follow those known rules. In many cases, drivers and bicyclists know well what the rules are but are intentionally violating them—like when bicyclists drive through red lights or stop signs.

It is only by focusing on both elements will our streets be as safe as possible for the co-existence of bicycles and cars.

Continue reading " Police Enforce Road Rules for Bicyclists " »

One common form of roadway accident in large cities in particular involves pedestrians. With several million people moving around a city at any given time, there are many occasions for cars to run-into walkers, often with deadly consequences. This remains one of the costliest forms of Chicago car accident day in and day out. To help curb these incidents, we previously discussed the new state law which requires all drivers to stop and give pedestrians the right of way when they are attempting to cross the street at a designated crosswalk, regardless of whether they have a light or stop sign.

One facet to the pedestrian safety issue that is now being discussed involves the overall aging of the American population and the consequences that will have on foot travel. Older individuals typically walk slower, taking longer to cross the street, and putting them at increased risk of being injured in one of these accidents. For example, analysis in New York and reported by the LA Times found that in one 10-block radius alone, at least a dozen elderly pedestrians had been killed in that last ten years. Nationwide 13% of the population is over 65 years old, but that group represents 22% of pedestrian deaths.

To help tackle the problem many municipalities are launching programs to make the streets a safer place for seniors. The main thrust of the program involves changes the signal timing. Generally the assumption is made for the lighting scheme that a walker can travel 3.5 to 4 feet per second. However, most elderly walkers are actually only capable of moving at 2.5 feet per second. The lag time means that many seniors end up caught in the middle of the street and in the line of fast-moving traffic, even though they followed the lighted signs.

Continue reading " Crosswalks May Be Redesigned to Account For Slower Walkers " »

Recently, WGNRadio.com posted an article detailing the report of a devastating Chicago Motorcycle accident. The victim was driving his motorcycle when he was fatally struck by a vehicle whose driver’s intoxication level was well over the legal limit.

Having just departed from a birthday party celebrating the 10th birthday of his twins, the 47 year old motorcyclist was on his way to work at O’Hare International Airport when a vehicle took a spacious left hand turn that caused a grave collision with the motorcycle. While the driver of the automobile passed a field sobriety test that was administered at the scene, a breathalyzer was not utilized until 4 hours after the accident. According to the police reports, the driver’s blood alcohol content was estimated to be between 0.084-0.123, exceeding Illinois’s legal limit of 0.08. This case, which is currently being brought to trial, recounts the drunk driver’s repeated DUI convictions, as well as, history of substance abuse which ultimately resulted in the revocation of his dentist license.

The overwhelming number of Illinois drunk driving accidents is a significant cause for concern. According to CyberdriveIllinois.com, which recently published an Illinois DUI Fact-book, stated that in 2009 alone 309 Illinois residents died as a result of a drunk driving related accident. In the United States as a whole, over 10,839 fatalities resulted from an alcohol related automobile accident. Fortunately, Illinois has been making strides to prevent alcohol related accidents. One of these strides is the implementation of Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID). The BAIID is a device that requires first time DUI offenders to pass a breathalyzer test in order for their vehicle to start.

Our Chicago accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti strongly advise against driving under the influence. Not only are you putting yourself in danger by operating a vehicle while intoxicated, you are putting others (whether drivers or pedestrians) at risk as well. With the summer months upon us and the 4th of July quickly around the corner, the probability of alcohol related accidents is on the rise. We recommend taking every precaution to avoid a devastating situation such as this one. In the unfortunate scenario that you or someone you know is a victim of a drunk driving accident, it is important to keep in mind that victims of DUI’s have the right to take legal action to hold wrongdoers accountable for their personal injury or loss of a loved one.

For most area teen age groups the number one cause of accidental death involves Illinois car accidents. Most parents know that the first few years after acquiring a driver’s license represent the riskiest period for new drivers. Many may not be aware, however, that the summer is actually the deadliest time of year for those young drivers.

The LakeForest-LakeBluff Patch reported late last week on a new AAA report which revealed that far more fatal teen driving crashes occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day than at any other time throughout the year. An average of 422 teen drivers are killed during each month in the summer. In the past five years, more than 7,300 teenage drivers have died across the country in the summer months alone.

The head of the Chicago AAA explained the danger, noting that “Parents should not underestimate the critical role they play in keeping their teens safe, especially during these high-risk months. Life feels more care-free when school’s out and teens have more opportunities to drive or ride care late at night with other teens—a deadly mix.”

Area advocates urge local parents to encourage road safety in their teen drivers. This may include limits on driving for unnecessary reasons and limits on the number of other friends that can be in the car at one time. In addition, night driving increases the chance of getting caught in a deadly accident, so that may be cut down upon if necessary.

Continue reading " Fatal Illinois Car Accidents Increase For Teens in the Summer " »

Our Chicago accident attorneys read a report in the Belleville News Democrat about a six car collision that occurred early Monday morning in Centreville, Illinois and felt it necessary to bring it to our reader's attention. A group of ducklings crossing Illinois 15 caused one driver to immediately reduce speed – ultimately resulting in the collision of five vehicles behind it. Luckily, only one driver received minor injuries in this Illinois car accident and the rest were left unharmed – including the ducks.

Unfortunately, Illinois car accidents such as this one are extremely common. According to State Farm, 1.2 million animal related accident claims were made in 2008 alone. When a driver faces a road impediment, such as an animal, their first instinct is to swerve to avoid impact. Regrettably, this is one of the worst things you can do – even though a driver’s intention is to avoid the death of an animal.

Autotips.com provides useful tips to avoid collision with an animal. The website recommends that if an animal approaches the line of traffic, a driver should never use their horn because unexpected sounds will cause the animal extreme fright. As an alternative, the driver should pause until the animal vacates the road, all the while being mindful of the drivers behind them. In addition, as always a driver should consistently wear a seatbelt to avoid the harmful effects of a personal injury if a collision was to result.

In the unfortunate situation that an animal-related collision does result, DefensiveDriving.com recommends that if the wounded animal is still living to avoid approaching it because it could still be very dangerous –especially if it is a large animal. A driver should never move an animal off the road and should always notify the police.

Our Illinois accident attorneys strongly recommend that drivers of all ages take steps to avoid accidents, such as this one, at all costs by educating yourself on the rules of the road and learning what to do when faced with quick decisions. With the summertime quickly approaching and more vehicles on the road, it is important that drivers be mindful that they must be readily aware of all road impediments.

WGN TV reported this weekend on a tragic string of Chicago car accidents that injured more than a dozen and killed one suburban teen. According to reports, a 17-year old girl from Orland Park was killed when her car slammed into a pole at the intersection of 135th Street and 88th Avenue. Another teenage girl in the car with her at the time was injured.

Separately, a car accident in the Little Village neighborhood injured seven area residents. That crash struck on the 3300 block of South Kedzie. A smaller car and a pick-up truck collided, sending several passengers who were not wearing seat-belts out of the car. Apparently five of the victims (including one child) were sent to the hospital n critical condition while two others were in good condition.

Around the same time an accident in the Austin neighborhood sent another seven victims to area hospitals. Two vehicles collided in that crash as well, which struck at the intersection of North Cicero Avenue and West End Avenue. Seven people were injured in that accident, including four who were listed in critical condition.

All told the three crashes have left fifteen people injured and one dead—a tragic single evening. As many readers may likely note, weekend crashes are all-too-common. With many community members traveling away from their homes for various activities, the possibility of becoming ensnared in a traffic accident increases. Of course the risk is exponentially compounded when substances like alcohol are in the mix, something that also happens much more frequently on weekend evenings.

Continue reading " One Killed & A Dozen Injured in Three Weekend Chicago Car Accidents " »

On Monday, our Chicago accident attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of the victims of the high-profile Gold Coast pedestrian accident. Our client, Stephen Dewart, was one of eight people who were severely injured by a City of Chicago employee when he accidentally drove a city owned Streets and Sanitation truck off of the road and onto a sidewalk in the Gold Coast on Rush Street.

Authorities investigating the matter soon discovered that the city employee was drunk when the accident occurred. His blood alcohol level was well over the legal limit, and investigators also found an open bottle and brandy in the city truck.

Upon hearing news of the crash and injured residents, many community members were understandably upset. How could such egregious conduct have been possible by a city employee? After filing the suit for one of the victims our Chicago car accident attorney Steve Levin explained that the lawsuit will hopefully, “prompt the City to create more effective drug and alcohol screening processes for employees, especially those operating large vehicles and heavy machinery.”

That may in fact be exactly what happens, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The publication explained how two powerful city officials –Aldermen Edward Burke and Pat O’Connor—proposed on Wednesday a new ordinance which would require all city employees to be open to random drug and alcohol testing. Under current rules only police officers, firefighters, and commercial drivers are subject to these random drug tests.

As the officials explained, the goal of the changes would be to minimize the overall number of errors in judgment by city officials which far too often lead to harm to innocent community members, just like what happened in the Gold Cast tragedy.

Besides potentially saving lives the aldermen also explained how the new rules may also limit the total number of workers compensation claims filed by city employees for injuries on the job. To prove the point, statistics were highlighted from the National Institute of Drug Abuse which revealed that abusers of drugs and alcohol were five times more likely to file worker’s compensation claims than non-abusers.

Continue reading " New City Ordinance Proposed In Response to Gold Coast Road Accident " »

An 18 year old woman is left in critical condition after an Illinois car accident early Monday morning, according to WGN-TV.com. At around 12:30 a.m. the 21 year old male driver fell asleep behind the wheel on I-57 near Robbins, Illinois, ultimately sending the vehicle off the road – striking both a tree and high voltage equipment. While the driver did not sustain any injuries, the female passenger was airlifted to a local hospital. There is still no word on her condition, although it is confirmed that alcohol did not play a role in the accident.

Unfortunately, “drowsy driving” is not an uncommon occurrence. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2009 Sleep in America pool, about 28% of Americans admitted to falling asleep while driving within the past year, in addition, more than half confirmed that they had driven while drowsy. Additionally, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents each year. It has been established that drivers all of ages, ranging from 16-59, are negatively affected from drowsy driving.

According to Chicago accident lawyer Steven Levin, “Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you feel tired, you should pull off the road and rest, or have someone else drive.” DrowsyDriving.org also provides more helpful tips to prevent accidents, such as this one, from happening in the first place. To avoid driving drowsy; drivers should get an adequate night’s sleep before travel, avoid driving long distances alone, take a break ever 100 miles or 2 hours, avoid medications that cause a drowsy side-effects, and lastly consume caffeine to stay alert.

With more people travelling during the summer months, it is important to remind family and friends of the risks associated with drowsy driving. We urge our readers to avoid this dangerous practice and help raise awareness.

Last month we reported on the strange Chicagoland car accident that was reportedly caused by one driver who experienced a bout of road rage. It was explained how two brothers were killed in the Maywood car accident and several other were severely injured. Unfortunately, MyFox Chicago News is now reporting that an infant girl who was severely injured in that crash has passed away.

According to police reports the crash may have been caused by road rage or some form of “confrontation.” It was reported how the vehicle that caused the accident may have begun driving erratically after some sort of incident with a third vehicle. For reasons that can only be speculated, a Toyota began speeding and traveling in the wrong direction in the northbound lanes of 9th Avenue. While headed the wrong way down the street the vehicle collided head-on with a Nissan. In the Nissan were a young mother and father and their 5-week old infant. The impact was expectedly severe—the collision sent the Toyota airborne.

The two men in the Toyota, brothers, were pronounced dead at the scene, while all the others involved were severely injured, including the infant. Tragically, after fighting to stay alive since the accident, the 5-week old girl died on Sunday. Doctors initially thought that the girl would survive, but she took a turn a few days after the crash and her prognosis had been unsure ever since then.

This another case of tragedy caused by potential road rage that should give more reason than ever for all drivers to ensure that their emotions are kept in check by the wheel. As city travelers on a daily basis we all experience the unpleasantness that comes when another is less than courteous on the road. However, there remains no excuse for all adults to keep that initial anger in check and never allow it to lead to reckless driving. The costs—as the infant’s death vividly shows here—are far too high to do otherwise.

Continue reading " Infant Dies Following Apparent Maywood Road Rage Crash " »

Earlier today in Crystal Lake, an 8 year old girl was left in critical condition after she was struck by a vehicle in an attempt to cross the street on her bicycle, according to the Northwest Herald. Subsequently, the child suffered a severe head injury and was immediately rushed into surgery. While the specifics of this Suburban Chicago bicycle accident are unknown, investigative officials have stated that the child was not wearing a helmet.

Needless to say, Illinois car accidents involving bicycles are especially prevalent in the summer months, just as thousands of children are being let out of school for the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bicyclists ages 14 and younger account for twenty-one percent of those injured in motor vehicle accidents. The threat of these accidents becomes even more sizeable when the bicyclist fails to wear a safety helmet.

Given that only half of all known bicyclists wear a helmet, according Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is no surprise that accidents and fatalities have increased among non-users. The rationale behind helmet use is to prevent head injury by minimizing and cushioning impact in the event of an accident. The CPSC recommends that cyclists not only purchase a helmet, but correctly wear it as well. Correct helmet use includes: wearing the helmet flat on top of your head (opposed to tilted back), snug fit, a clear unobstructed vision line, and finally, chin and buckle straps must be securely fastened.

Our Illinois accident attorneys remind cyclists and motorists to adhere to both vehicle and bicycle safety laws. It is important to remember that cyclists have the same rights and duties as motorists. In accordance with the Illinois Vehicle Code, both motorists and cyclists should be aware of these common rules. For instance, a cyclist must ride as close as possible to the right curb or edge of the road, except when passing another bike, making a left or right turn, or avoiding unsafe conditions (i.e. pedestrians, animals, debris, potholes). In addition, while Illinois has not established a law requiring the use of helmets while operating a bicycle, it is strongly encouraged to protect your safety.

Two of our Illinois personal injury lawyers filed suit on behalf of Stephen Dewart —a 27-year old area man who was seriously injured after being hit by an errant vehicle while standing on the sidewalk. Specifically, Mr. Dewart was hurt when a City of Chicago worker drove his truck off the road and into a crowd on the corner of Rush and Cedar streets at the end of May. Steven M. Levin and Susan L. Novosad officially filed the lawsuit yesterday in the Circuit Court of Cook County for Mr. Dewart who was participating in a photo shoot for his wife’s company at the time of the accident.

Mr. Dewart was one of eight people struck in the high-profile accident caused by an intoxicated Chicago Streets and Sanitation worker. The reckless driver had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and an open brandy bottle was found in his vehicle.

Steve Levin explained the effect that the accident has had on Mr. Dewart: “Stephen suffered several spinal fractures, a broken fibula and a broken tibia, and was hospitalized for six days.” The injuries caused him to have a surgical rod placed in his lower leg and is confined to a wheelchair—a grueling physical therapy process will follow.

Mr. Dewart’s future plans were also affected by the accident. Levin reports that, “Stephen was supposed to start law school last week, but had to defer his admission for a year in order to recover from his injuries.” He went on to discuss the purpose of the legal matter explaining, “We hope that this lawsuit will bring them [the Dewart family] fair and reasonable compensation. We also hope that it will prompt the City to create more effective drug and alcohol screening processes for employees, especially those operating large vehicles and heavy machinery.”

Continue reading " Levin & Perconti Files Suit On Behalf of Man Run Down By City Worker " »

WLS News reported earlier this week on a serious Chicago bicycle accident that struck on the city’s north side. There is only minimal information available about the crash at this point, but investigators do know that it involves a bicyclist and a city.

Apparently the 20-year-old bicyclist was in the North Center neighborhood on Cullom Avenue when the accident occurred. Reports indicate that she was traveling east on Cullom at the Lincoln Avenue intersection when she disobeyed a stop sign. As a result, she crossed the intersection just as a city truck was headed north on Lincoln. The truck collided with the bicyclist sending her off the bike and onto the road.

Emergency crews were quickly called and the woman was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. The truck driver remained at the scene following the accident and no citations have yet been issued.

Chicagoans are well-aware of the prevalence of bike accidents on our city’s streets. A large, diverse city like ours is filled with various modes of transportation. Semitrailers, city trucks, SUVs, small cars, bikes, mopeds, Segways, and walkers all travel on and across miles and miles of city roadways morning, noon, night. Because of that there are countless opportunities for deadly collisions, especially when any of those travelers fails to abide by appropriate standards of care.

Continue reading " Bicyclist Seriously Injured in North Side Crash " »

Memorial Day weekend for one family was marred by a terrible Chicago drunk driving tragedy, reports the Chicago Tribune. A 47-year old woman had apparently been drinking at a holiday barbeque before leaving to head to another family party. She got into her vehicle along with her sister, two family friends, and several children. In total there were eight people in the car, which is supposed to sit a maximum of five.

According to reports the woman had a blood alcohol level of .164 (more than twice the legal limit) while she was driving. While on the Dan Ryan Expressway sometime around 6:30 p.m. she apparently bent down and tried to pick up a chip. As she was doing that, she lost control of the vehicle. Witnesses report seeing the car smash into a guard rail at 75th Street and then spin around seven times.

Considering there were so many people in the car, few of the passengers were buckled. The children inside were not properly restrained. In the aftermath an 11 year old boy was killed. In addition, an 8 year old boy was in critical condition after lacerating his liver, and two other children (ages 3 and 4) had fractured skulls.

The driver has subsequently been charged with aggravated DUI for an accident causing death as well as reckless homicide. She is being held on bail. The driver’s father explained that he saw her leave the barbeque and she did not appear drunk at the time. He believes that it was all just a tragic accident.

Continue reading " Chicago Drunk Driving Crash Kills Baby, Injures Others " »

The Telegraph reported today on a tragic car accident that has sent a mother and her three young children to the hospital with serious injuries. Emergency authorities report that the woman was driving Tuesday afternoon on Illinois 255 with her 4 year old daughter, 2 year old son, and 5 month old son when she came upon metal debris in the road. To avoid the debris the woman swerved out of the way. The maneuver caused her SUV to careen out of control. It ultimately crossed the median, rolling over and landed on the opposite side of the highway. The 4 year old was ejected from the vehicle in the roll-over. After coming to a stop, the SUV was then hit by a northbound utility truck. All four family members were rushed to various medical facilities in serious conditions.

This case illustrates the importance of contacting an Illinois car accident lawyer to help work through the possible legal implications of the accident. For example, most car crash lawsuits are negligence actions, meaning they allege that an individual owed a duty of care to his or her fellow drivers but breached that duty causing injury.

Depending on the circumstances there are many ways that the duty of care could be breached. In many cases it is obvious—like when a truck driver is drunk or drifts into an oncoming lane of traffic. However, more subtle acts of negligence are capable of causing just as much harm. In this case, the vehicle that allowed the debris to fall onto the road may have acted unreasonably. It is highly forseeable that dangerous material left on a high-speed roadway might lead to a traffic accident. Knowing that the risk is there, it is likely negligent for anyone to do something that creates the risk.

Continue reading " Dislodged Debris on Highway Causes Illinois Car Accident " »