March 3, 2010

Chicago Woman Strikes Police Officer

On February 27th a Chicago woman got into a car accident in which she struck an Illinois police officer on I-94. The accident occurred when the police officer was pulled over on the side of the highway and was standing outside of her patrol car and was then hit by the Chicago woman. According to Chicago Sun Times, the victim was conscious when emergency crews arrived and is believed to have suffered multiple broken bones but is expected to recover fully. To read more about this Chicago pedestrian accident, please click on the link.

The driver has been charged with aggravated reckless conduct for her failure to notice the police officer in time to avoid striking her. In Illinois there is an additional penalty for driver’s who fail to yield to emergency vehicles or cause accidents or injuries to public safety personnel. According to the Illinois State Police website violation of this law, Scott’s Law, can lead to up to an additional $10,000 in fines and a suspension of driving privileges for up to two years. In addition to the reckless conduct charge, the driver in this car accident was also charged under Scott’s Law, cited for improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed and operating an uninsured car. Driver distraction can be very dangerous and can lead to very serious car crashes. It is important for all drivers to be alert and pay attention every time they get behind the wheel.

February 19, 2010

Wrongful Death Suit Filed on Behalf of Elderly Woman Killed in Pedestrian Accident

A car accident wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with the death of a Illinois woman who was killed when struck by a vehicle in October of this past year. This pedestrian accident occurred in Evanston when the elderly woman tried to cross Sheridan Road and the car accident lawsuit alleges that the driver was negligent because she failed to keep a proper lookout in addition to driving too fast given the weather conditions. According to The Pioneer Local, the suit seeks over $200,000 in damages. To read more about this tragic accident, please click on the link.

While there has been a decrease in pedestrian deaths over the last decade, this is still a serious problem that drivers and pedestrians need to be aware of. In 2007, 170 pedestrians were killed and 1000 were injured in Illinois. Pedestrian accidents are much more common in urban areas, so residents of Chicago need to be extra cautious when walking and when driving. The best way to try to avoid pedestrian accidents is to make sure you are always alert, paying attention to the road and following street signs while either driving or walking. To read more about pedestrian accident rates and ways to avoid these horrible accidents, please click on the link.

December 7, 2009

Pedestrian Hit by Vehicle in Chicago

Very early this morning, a pedestrian was struck by a car in the Austin neighborhood in Chicago. According to Chicago Breaking News, three other people were injured in this Chicago car accident and all four injured were taken to local area hospitals. The car accident occurred near North and Central Avenues on the West Side of Chicago. At this point little is known about the conditions of the victims. To read more about this Chicago pedestrian accident, please click here.

October 18, 2009

Local Panhandler Dies in Hit-and-Run

A fatal car accident occurred in Chicago on October 17th when a car struck a local panhandler and drove away without stopping at the scene. The accident occurred on the corner of Roosevelt and Cicero and friends say they had warned him that it was a dangerous intersection, and he had even been struck by a car at that intersection previously. According to ABC, a gas station video caught the October 17th car accident on video and police are looking for a red vehicle with extensive front end damage and possible windshield damage. Many people could vouch for what a great guy the victim of this fatal hit-and-run accident was.

October 16, 2009

Worker Killed in Avon Pedestrian Accident

A Chicago man was killed on the morning of October 15th, when he was struck by a car while he was placing traffic counters near Farmington on Manley Road in Avon. The fatal car accident occurred when the driver crossed into the westbound lane and struck the victim, who it is believed to not have seen anything coming. According to The Peoria Journal Star, the driver immediately stopped and called 911 and at this point has not been ticketed and his speed is unknown. The car accident attorney for the company the victim worked for says that the victim was well aware of safety protocol and appears to have complied with it completely at the time of the fatal car accident.

October 8, 2009

Elderly Chicago Man Dies as a Result Of Critical Injuries from Pedestrian Accident

An elderly man died on October 7th as a result of severe personal injuries sustained when he was struck by a car at 980 N. Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago 17 days before his death. According to Chicago Breaking News, an autopsy determined that his death was a result of the injuries sustained in the pedestrian accident. The driver of the car that struck the victim was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian at the time of accident. For more information on this pedestrian accident, click here.

September 21, 2009

Pedestrian Killed in Fatal Bus Accident

A Chicago man was fatally injured after being hit by a bus late in the evening of September 20th. The victim had been standing on the sidewalk near a bus stop when a bus struck him as it pulled away from the stop. The victim was killed instantly according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. No one on the bus was injured resulting from the fatal accident. The bus accident is still under investigation. For more information on this fatal pedestrian accident, click here.

September 19, 2009

Pedestrians Hit by Car Gets Car Stolen on Same Day

A couple who were both hit by a car got their car stolen the same day while they were in the hospital receiving treatment for their personal injuries. The car accident occurred on September 14th, and that same day their car was stolen from their home. Two teenagers were later arrested and charged with stealing the car and the couple is expected to fully recover. For more information on this car accident and car theft, click here.

September 15, 2009

Palatine Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Filed

The victim in a car accident involving a police officer in Palatine in July is suing the village of Palatine and the officer after he was struck while crossing the street. The car accident lawsuit alleges negligence, failure to keep a good lookout and operating the car too fast and without headlights. The defense attorney is claiming that the victim was under the influence of alcohol and stepped into the street, not in a crosswalk when the car accident occurred. The Plaintiff’s car accident attorney claims that whether or not his client was drinking that night makes no difference and that it doesn’t justify hitting a pedestrian. For more information on this Palatine car accident lawsuit, click here.

August 19, 2009

Oak Lawn Bicyclist Killed in Traffic Accident

An Oak Lawn man was killed on August 18th when he was riding his bicycle and was hit by a car. The car accident left the bicyclist dead just hours after the car hit him. The car was driven by a Chicago woman who hit the victim as he was biking across the traffic. The fatal accident reduced traffic to two lanes for three hours to allow the police to investigate the traffic accident. For more information on this Cook County car accident, click here.

July 6, 2009

Truck Driver Kills Bicyclist

On Sunday, July 5th an Illinois woman was killed while riding her bicycle. The bike accident occurred when a pickup truck struck the woman and her daughter while they were riding bicycles. The victim’s daughter suffered injuries, but they are not life-threatening. The driver of the truck involved in the fatal accident has been charged with improper lane usage, and at this point there is no evidence of drug or alcohol involvement and speed does not seem to be a factor in the terrible crash. For more information on this terrible truck accident, click here.

July 1, 2009

Chicago Pedestrian Accident Leave One Dead and One Seriously Injured

Two men were caught under a Metra train in Chicago on June 30th. The train accident occurred when the two men attempted to cross the tracks as the crossing gates were coming down. The train tried to stop to avoid them, but in its sudden stop it ended up pinning them under the train. One of the victims that was pinned in this pedestrian accident was killed as a result of the personal injuries he sustained and the other victim was seriously injured. The first victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the second victim was taken to a local hospital where he is listed in serious to critical condition. For more information on this train accident, click here.

June 20, 2009

Woman Charged in Suburban Chicago Car Crash

A Chicago woman has been issued two citations in connection with a fatal car accident that occurred in May, in which a woman that was crossing the street with her two small children was killed. The driver in the car accident has been cited for failing to exercise due care to pedestrian and improper lane care. There is no evidence of alcohol or drug involvement or any mechanical or road problems that could have caused the fatal car crash. For more information on this car accident, click here.

May 25, 2009

Teenager Killed in Hit-And-Run Car Accident

Early in the morning of May 22nd, a young boy was killed in a terrible hit-and-run pedestrian accident, by an off duty police officer. The boy was killed instantly and the police officer just drove off after hitting the boy with his vehicle. The boy was riding his bike and although the light was red, the police officer continued through the light striking the boy. The officer has been stripped of his police powers but at this point no criminal charges have been filed for this hit-and-run car accident. For more information of this terrible pedestrian accident, click here.

May 22, 2009

Pedestrian killed in LaGrange Car Accident

A Countryside woman was crossing the street with her two young children when she was struck and killed by a car. Luckily, the small child that the woman was pushing in the stroller and the toddling that was strapped to her did not suffer any serious injuries. The pedestrian accident was not a hit-and-run and did not involve excessive speeds, and the driver claims that she did not see the victim crossing the street. At this point the driver has not been arrested or charged with anything in relation to the car accident. For more information on this car accident, click here.

May 4, 2009

Chicago Hit-and-Run Accident Kills Pedestrian

A 22-year-old DePaul University student is being held on $80,000 bail for the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian in Chicago on April 30. The Chicago Tribune reports that the woman was driving a rental truck at 65 mph when she hit the 57 year-old man as he was crossing at a cross walk. The rental truck drug the man over 100 feet. After the accident, the woman kept driving. Police found her in distress several block away from the pedestrian accident. Read more about this Chicago hit-and-run accident.

The accident comes several weeks after Chicago police began a sting campaign to increase awareness of pedestrians at crosswalks. At many of the city's busiest crosswalks, vehicles consistently fail to yield to pedestrians, greatly increasing the risk for pedestrian accidents that may cause injury or death. Chicago police will now issue tickets to drivers who do not yield to pedestrians crossing the street.

May 1, 2009

Chicago Pedestrian Seriously Injured

On April 30, a pedestrian was hit by a car near LaSalle and Burton Place in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. Chicago Breaking News reported that the victim was seriously injured in the pedestrian accident. The pedestrian was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment. The report did not reveal the cause of the accident or the identity of the victim. According to a report by the Illinois Department of Transportation, 3,697 pedestrian accidents occurred in Chicago in 2007. Of these, 3,645 lead to injury.

Read more about the Chicago pedestrian accident.


April 16, 2009

Joliet Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck by Vehicle

A 19-year-old woman from Joliet, IL died on April 15 after being struck by a vehicle along a busy roadway. The accident occurred on April 14 and the victim was flown to Loyola Hospital in Maywood for treatment of her critical injuries. A report in the Joliet Herald News did not reveal what caused the driver to hit the pedestrian or who may have been at fault. The driver of the car did remain on the scene and has not been cited by police. Read more about this pedestrian accident.

Each year, hundreds of pedestrians are killed by cars and trucks in the Chicago area. If you or a loved one is injured or killed due to a drivers’ negligence, please call Levin & Perconti to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.

March 27, 2009

Kanakakee Co. Town Has Greatest Rate of Car Accidents Involving Pedestrians

According to a Crash Report by the Chicago-based Active Transportation Alliance, Hopkins Park in Kankakee had the most pedestrian accidents in the Chicago area. The study used Illinois Department of Transportation data from 2004-2007. Other Chicago-area towns that had high accident rates include: Oakbrook Terrace, Harvey, Markham, Countryside, Oak Park, Rosemont, Summit, Calumet Park, and Midlothian.

The report also states that there are over 800 traffic accidents in Chicagoland each day. If you are involved in a car or truck accident anywhere in the State of Illinois due to someone else’s negligence, we encourage you to call Levin & Perconti to discuss your case. Our attorneys have successfully handled thousands of car and truck accident lawsuits and can help you seek justice and fair compensation for your damages.

Read the Crash Report here.

Read the Chicago Tribune accident report coverage.

January 16, 2009

Another Chicago train accident effects 5000 passengers

Chicago’s train system has been riddled with difficulties lately including car accidents, truck crashes, pedestrian accidents, security issues, and derailments. Another derailment that occurred this morning will affect 5000 passengers. The 72-car freight train from Canada derailed in Buffalo Grove, Illinois on its way to Chicago. Two of the cars were holding a hazardous and toxic material, sulfur, but is not dangerous, according to a spokesperson. No injuries were caused by the derailment. For the full story, click here.

January 13, 2009

Illinois man struck and killed by car

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a car Saturday night on Chicago’s Southwest Side. The victim of the car crash was a 59 year-old man.

For the full article.


January 2, 2009

Pedestrian Killed On Illinois Highway

A pedestrian was killed this evening while crossing I-57 close to the Sibley Boulevard interchange near Harvey, Illinois. An Illinois state police trooper said that a vehicle traveling northbound in the left lane of 1-57 struck the pedestrian who was trying to cross the interstate east-to-west about 500 feet south of 147th Street. All inbound lanes of I-57 were closed for more than two hours during the investigation of the automobile accident. Officials are still trying to determine why the pedestrian was on the interstate and how he caused the car accident. To read the full story, click here.

December 2, 2008

Police car speed scrutinized in car crash

An investigation of a car crash that injured a motorist and two police officers has preliminarily shown that one officer may have disregarded a stop signal while speeding. Reports say that an officer was driving his car to a shoplifting call when his car struck a car. The car crash caused one car to spin out of control and strike a person standing by.

For the full article.

November 30, 2008

18 year-old woman killed in a hit-and-run

Illinois police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed an Illinois pedestrian and injured another last Thursday in a Chicago suburb. An 18 year-old was walking on Lake Street when a car struck her and a friend. The car accident victim was pronounced dead at a Chicago-area hospital soon thereafter.

For the full article.

November 24, 2008

Tips for Driving in the Dark

As the sun sets sooner and the days growing shorter, many people are doing more nighttime driving. That means more automobile accidents. Studies show that pedestrians walking during the evening rush hour are three times more likely to be struck and killed by cars in the weeks after the fall time change. However, surveys show two-thirds of pedestrians say they don’t take extra precautions this time of year. This means drivers need to be extra careful and should follow these tips:

*Keep your eyes moving and away from glare. If a driver focuses on the white lines
on the side of the road, they’ll avoid oncoming headlights and be able to spot
pedestrians.
*Pedestrians are more likely to cross the street when you’re turning at a green light
or turning right on red, so drivers should take an extra look to make sure that the
path is clear.
*Remember pedestrians always have the right of way, even if they’re crossing where
they shouldn’t. It is the driver that must stop!

To read the full story, click here.

November 24, 2008

Tips for Driving in the Dark

As the sun sets sooner and the days growing shorter, many people are doing more nighttime driving. That means more automobile accidents. Studies show that pedestrians walking during the evening rush hour are three times more likely to be struck and killed by cars in the weeks after the fall time change. However, surveys show two-thirds of pedestrians say they don’t take extra precautions this time of year. This means drivers need to be extra careful and should follow these tips:

*Keep your eyes moving and away from glare. If a driver focuses on the white lines
on the side of the road, they’ll avoid oncoming headlights and be able to spot
pedestrians.
*Pedestrians are more likely to cross the street when you’re turning at a green light
or turning right on red, so drivers should take an extra look to make sure that the
path is clear.
*Remember pedestrians always have the right of way, even if they’re crossing where
they shouldn’t. It is the driver that must stop!

To read the full story, click here.

November 21, 2008

Man Struck by Car in Hit and Run

A unknown vehicle struck and seriously personally injured an elderly man near West 116th Place and South Peoria Street in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Police are asking for the public’s help finding the vehicle that struck and personally injured the elderly man in the hit-and-run crash in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood. The vehicle failed to stop after it struck the man and fled the scene. Police are still investigating the hit-and-run crash and looking for the identity of the driver of the vehicle. At this time, no personal injury lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

November 17, 2008

Chicago Pedestrian Hit on Lake Shore Drive

A pedestrian was hit by several cars last night while attempting to cross the northbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive. The man suffered serious personal injuries and was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition. The accident occurred at the 2900 block of North Lake Shore Drive shortly before 8:45 p.m. A Chicago Police Department investigation is currently underway.

For the full story, click here.

November 5, 2008

Pedestrian Suffers Personal Injuries in Chicago

A pedestrian was critically injured after being struck by a car in the South Loop of Chicago. The pedestrian was struck at Roosevelt Road and Wabash Avenue in the evening. The victim was taken to the hospital with personal injuries and is “extremely critical” condition in the hospital. The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit was responding to the scene. At this time, no lawsuits have been filed regarding the automobile accident. To read the full story, click here.

November 4, 2008

Chicago-area Soldier Dies in Car Crash

A soldier from the Chicago area was struck and killed by a car over the weekend near his Army base. The 23 year old was assigned to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and was stationed in Texas. The man was struck as he was crossing a road near the base. The driver has been charged with striking a pedestrian. At this time, no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

November 3, 2008

Driver Hit While She Fixed Her Car

A woman was killed after she exited her stalled car on South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois. The woman went to look under the hood after her car stalled. She then was killed in a chain reaction crash. The 48 year-old woman stepped out to work on her stalled car in a southbound lane which cased the car behind her to stop. A third vehicle then collided into that car and pinned her underneath her own car. She died at the scene. The automobile accident occurred near 50th Street on Lake Shore Drive and police had to divert traffic. At this time, no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

August 7, 2008

Anatomy of a Hit and Run Automobile Accident

This video shows an elderly man becoming the victim of a hit and run accident. As a result of the automobile accident, the elderly man was paralyzed. Notably, bystanders do not come to the man's aide after the accident. This type of video shows that many automobile accident victims should turn to a car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer for help.

July 10, 2008

Child Hit by Car Crossing Street, Killed

On Tuesday afternoon, a girl from Des Plaines, Illinois was hit by a car crossing a street. Alexis Perroca, 11, was returning from feeding ducks and geese in the Des Plaines River when she was hit by an SUV heading south on Des Plaines River Road. The driver was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian. The girl was crossing at a point on the four-lane road where there was no crosswalk and the speed limit was 35 mph. Apparently, as they were crossing, Alexis let go of her father’s hand and darted out into traffic, her father was carrying her 3 year-old twin siblings and their bicycles at the time. Alexis died later that afternoon as a result of the car accident at Advocate Luther General Hospital in Park Ridge. Read more here.

July 8, 2008

Chicago, Illinois Teen Dies after Car Hits Rollerblader

A Chicago, Illinois teenager was hit by a car while on vacation. The teen was rollerblading when he was struck by a car. The in-lining skating car crash left the teen dead. The driver in the car crash was cited for reckless driving, negligent driving and other criminal citations. There is no word yet if a wrongful death suit or a personal injury lawsuit will be filed by the Chicago, Illinois family of the deceased teenager. To read the full story click here.

June 12, 2008

IDOT Workers Killed in Separate Accidents: Brings Total Up To 3 Deaths

Wednesday morning 2 Illinois Department of Transportation workers died while painting a bridge in Elgin. The workers’ truck came into contact with a power-line and by the time firefighters arrived on the scene the truck was encased in flames. Both men were so severely burned that they were pronounced dead on the scene. It is as of yet unknown what caused the truck to hit the power-line, but human error or product liability are some potential issues. Later that same day, one IDOT worked died and another was injured in a car accident on one of Chicago, Illinois’ highways. It is not clear yet whether any workers' compensation claims, personal injury lawsuits, or wrongful death lawsuits will be filed in connection with the two construction accidents.

June 12, 2008

IDOT Worker Killed in Interstate Car Accident

A fatal car accident left an Illinois Department of Transportation worker killed yesterday. A deadly interstate accident on a Chicago, Illinois interstate left the road worker dead and another individual with car accident injuries. The injured interstate worker suffered from a head injury and a brain injury but was released from the hospital. The reckless driver attempted to leave the scene but was later apprehended. This accident comes after Illinois legislation has been passed to minimize highway car accidents and construction accidents in highway work zones. As of yet the family of the deceased has not filed a wrongful death suit against the negligent reckless driver. To see the full story click here.

September 27, 2007

Another lawsuit filed in emergency response to Durkin Park brawl

A new personal injury lawsuit has recently been filed by the family of a man who was run over by a car in the Durkin Park fight that occurred earlier this year. Durkin Park was the site of the clash that ended with one teen driving an SUV through a crowd of people. Despite the numerous and frantic calls to 911 that night, authorities were slow to respond and dealt with the callers with sarcasm and apathy. The man who was run over by the SUV sustained personal injuries that have prevented him from returning to his job in construction. He and his family are suing the driver of the car, the owner of the car, and the City of Chicago.

Click here for the full article
Click here for a post on an earlier lawsuit filed after the Durkin Park fight

September 13, 2007

Chicago man shot to death by police gets sued

A Chicago Police Officer has recently filed a personal injury lawsuit in the Cook County Circuit Court against a man the officer later shot to death. The defendant hit the Chicago Police Officer with his car and dragged the officer for ten feet under the car's bumper. The police report indicates that four officers then shot 42 bullets at the driver because he was using the car as a weapon. This account of events is different than the one depicted in the wrongful death lawsuit filed last year by the deceased driver’s family.

Click here for the full article