Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Last week, our Chicago car accident lawyers read on ChicagoABCNews’ website about a tragic accident involving two pedestrians in Chicago. A two-year-old and her grandmother were pronounced dead after a van when a van failed to yield and hit them while they were crossing the street at a crosswalk. According to the report,

This incident made us think about a recent Chicago Tribune study surrounding Chicago pedestrian accidents at crosswalks. The study showed that 80% of pedestrian accidents in the City of Chicago happen at intersections, when people are crossing street while the walk signal is lit. In reviewing this statistic, along with others, the City of Chicago has since announced new ideas to address this public safety problem. This includes identifying dangerous intersections where city officials can concentrate law enforcement, identifying how to better engineer the infrastructure of crosswalks, and educating drivers and pedestrians alike. Chicago’s streets are crowded with cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians, so it is important that everyone on the road, regardless of their means of transportation, look out for each other in order to protect their safety, along with others on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that since 1998, pedestrian accidents in crosswalks have steadily increased.

Pedestrian accidents can lead to serious injury and possible fatality, as shown in the accident discussed above. Pedestrians have the right of way at cross walks and drivers are required to yield. Therefore, it is important that drivers avoid distractions in order to focus better on what is occurring on the road. Staying focused allows drivers to better pay attention to signs, traffic lights, others on the road, and better notice smaller vehicles and pedestrians. As we have noted before on our blog, pedestrian accidents can occur in the middle of the intersection at the crosswalk, but also in places that may not be expected, such on the shoulder of the road, or even on the highway. In order to avoid these accidents, drivers should be alert at all times and avoid driving while distracted or intoxicated.

When a driver’s negligence causes others to suffer serious personal injury or death, it is important that victims hold all wrongdoers accountable. This Chicago report did not elaborate on whether or not the victims’ families will take legal action, however there could be a cause of action since the driver failed to yield to the pedestrians. Unfortunately due to these mistakes, a family is now without a grandmother and grandchild.

Our Chicago accident attorneys support the City of Chicago’s initiatives to better protect pedestrians and smaller vehicles from the serious injuries that can occur from automobile-pedestrian or automobile-bicycle accidents. We also encourage drivers to be on the look out for others on the road and remind pedestrians to remain alert to in order to avoid any potential accident. If you have been injured, or have lost a loved one, please contact us to review your case and see how we may be able to help you.

Recently, WQAD reported a fatal Dixon Illinois car accident in which an elderly woman was killed whenshe pulled out in front of a truck on a highway on Saturday afternoon. She reportedly stopped at a stop sign and then drove her van into oncoming traffic and was struck on the side by the pickup truck. She was unresponsive at the scene of the accident, and later that evening was pronounced dead. The driver of the truck had a few minor injuries due to the crash.

HelpGuide, a source that helps with health challenges, issued an article that lists safety tips for seniors on the road. Driving abilities slowly deteriorate with age, which brings our attention to driving safety and adjustments that need to be made. Our Chicago accident attorneys encourage senior citizens to reduce certain factors so they can stay safe, and so other drivers on the road can stay safe.

All drivers should understand how aging affects driving. The site states that, “fatal crash rates rise sharply after a driver has reached the age of 70.” Aging results in a loss of strength, coordination, and flexibility, which are all crucial to operating a car safely. Our Illinois car accident attorneys are also aware that elderly people also have a tendency to have neck pain, which can make it hard to check blind spots, leg pain which can make it difficult to use the pedals and loss in arm strength, which can make it difficult to use the steering wheel. Reaction time also slows down, and it can also become more difficult to pay attention to the road, road signs, and other drivers on the road.

Many senior citizens do not realize or identify health issues that can lead to accidents. Some problems that require attention and awareness in order to be corrected include:

• Conflicting Medicine Combinations
• Vision Difficulties
• Hearing Difficulties
• Reflex, Reaction, and Range of Motion Difficulties
• Loss of Memory
• Confusion of Rules of the Road
• Increased Driving Tickets or Citations
• Close-Call Accidents

It is important for families to address these issues in order to maximize safety on the road, including the safety of the driver, and others on the road. Elderly people should take care of their health and use any appropriate driving aids that are necessary. Like everyone on the road, they should drive defensively and pay attention, and most importantly, elderly people should listen to the caring concerns of their family and friends.

Our Illinois accident attorneys encourage all senior citizens to take extra precautions when driving, to pay attention to the road and avoid distractions, and to also look for warning signs of unsafe driving. For any questions, please contact us.

Recently, PhillyBurbs reported on a settlement for the family of a girl who was killed in a hit and run accident in 2004 while crossing the street. Although the driver was driving intoxicated and on a suspended license, he was not criminally charged with a driving under the influence or hit and run because it was decided that the road were responsible for the crash. The driver pleaded guilty and received a prison sentence for up to six years.

This accident brings up two issues our Illinois accident attorneys see over and over again: hit and runs and drunk driving. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a very serious crime, as serious as causing the accident itself. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hit and run accidents make up 15.8% of all pedestrian accidents, and alcohol and drugs play a role in 6%. If you are the victim of a hit and run accident, you should first call the police if you are able to, then use a camera of any type (even the one on most cell phones) to capture pictures of any damage that may be done in the accident. Next, you should go to the hospital and get examined by a doctor or nurse, not only to avoid possible insurance problems in the future, but also to make sure that you are not seriously injured.

A group dedicated to hit and run awareness, DeadlyRoads, reviews state laws, and serious injuries related to hit and run accidents. Like other states, leaving the scene of an accident in Illinois is illegal, and that prosecutors have the authority to go after hit and run drivers. If you cause an accident, the best thing you can do is stay at the scene and help the victims by calling for medical assistance. Investigators have the ability to track down most hit and run drivers, and the punishment will be much worse for you if you flee. In addition to criminal charges, you can also be held accountable in a civil suit.

We were happy to see that this victim’s family was compensated for the careless acts the driver who took her life much too early. Lawsuits such as this help to ensure that justice is served and wrongdoers are held responsible. If you have been a victim in this type of accident, or have lost a loved one due to a negligent driver, please contact us to see how we may be able to help you.

Earlier this week, the Chicago Tribune reported a Chicago pedestrian accident involving a woman who was arrested for driving under the influence. Two hours later, she was released and thirty minutes after she was released, the woman was killed on the Eisenhower when a truck hit her while walking near the median . The victim's family questions why the police released her while she might have still been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, instead of keeping her held in custody until she was sober. When looking back on reports, police say that the woman appeared sober and alert when they dropped her off at a nearby gas station. Further investigation continues to determine why the woman was walking by foot on the Eisenhower after being released from the police station.

It is unclear in this case who is to blame, and whether or not the police should have released the woman. It makes our Illinois car accident attorneys question what is the proper protocol for releasing DUI drivers, even if they are able to post bond right away. If the police hadn't released her so close to her arrest, her death may have been avoided.

The story also brings up issues of pedestrian safety. Even though drivers on the highway probably would never expect to see a pedestrian on a roadway such as this, they need to pay close attention and avoid all distractions. In this case, if
the truck had seen the woman walking down the highway, he maybe could have
avoided hitting the walking woman. According to Directgov, "Pedestrians MUST NOT be on motorways or slip roads except in an emergency."

Our Chicago accident attorneys hope that readers take driving under the influence seriously and realize that it can lead not only to arrests, but to dangerous decisions that can lead to personal injury or death. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, a DUI accident, or a distracted driving accident, or have lost a loved one due to another driver's negligence, please contact our Illinois accident attorneys to see how we may be able to help you to receive fair compensation, and also some peace of mind. Lawsuits do not only help to receive monetary compensation, but also bring attention and awareness to the issue at hand. Please contact us to talk about your legal rights and a potential lawsuit.

NBCChicago reported a Chicago bike accident that occurred earlier this week involving a drunk driver and a cyclist. The driver has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence, aggravated fleeing police, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and reckless homicide. The car collided with the bike, killing the cyclist due to multiple injuries. The driver fled the scene, however police found him near the crash. The report continues to state that in addition to aggravated DUI and fleeing the scene, the driver ignored a stop sign, was driving without a license, and did not have insurance. The driver is currently being held without bond.

This story once again illustrates the dangers of driving under the influence. As we have discussed in previous posts, our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys believe that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a very serious charge and should not be taken lightly. We hope that by publicizing DUI accidents, readers will see how many preventable injuries and deaths occur each month in the Chicago area. We hope our readers will use this knowledge to help raise awareness surrounding this problem. Driving intoxicated, from any substance, can not only harm you, but it also endangers other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Additionally, this story brings up the issues surrounding hit and run accidents. There are a number of reasons why drivers decide to leave the scene of an accident, but it is always a poor decision, and can lead to serious charges. In this case, the driver should have not left the scene of the accident, but probably did so because he was intoxicated and driving without a license and feared arrest. According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, “The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident, or as close thereto as possible and shall then forthwith return to, and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident.” Our Chicago injury attorneys encourage drivers involved in an accident, to pull over safely, and call an emergency number. Doing so may help the victim get the medical attention he or she needs sooner, and could save a life.

If you have lost a loved one due to another driver’s mistakes, you may be able to take legal action. Filing a lawsuit would not only help you to receive reasonable compensation, but it also allows you to hold wrongdoers responsible for their negligent actions. If you have been a victim in a cycling or car accident, or have lost a loved one in an accident, please contact our Illinois accident lawyers to see how they may be able to help you.

Earlier this week, the NapervilleSun, a Chicago Sun-Times publication, reported on developments surrounding a fatal Illinois car accident. A dentist from Naperville was indicted with two felony counts, both of reckless homicide, for the death of two people, a father and his daughter. The dentist is still in the hospital for injuries he acquired in the accident, but apparently he has a long history of driving charges on his hands. The night of the accident, he was reportedly speeding, crossed the center division, and was driving down the shoulder of the lanes when he drove towards oncoming traffic, striking the father and daughter’s vehicle. The article also continues to say that the Naperville dentist has been charged in previous years with having an open container of alcohol in his car, driving under the influence, and other traffic violations.

Our Illinois injury attorneys encourage all drivers to take all traffic violations seriously, and to acknowledge past mistakes in order to prevent them from occurring again. The reports do not indicate whether the driver was operating on a suspended license from his previous driver, but in some cases even a suspension will not stop someone who has no regard for his/her safety or the safety of others. In Illinois, first time DUI offenders must have a breath-alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) installed if they want to regain driving privileges and this device must be used for six months. However, this terrible accident came six months to the day after his previous DUI arrest on February 6.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is also always preventable, and when paired driving recklessly, it is a recipe for disaster. It is crucial to stay focused on other drivers on the road to protect yourself, but victims are often powerless. If this driver had followed the rules of the road and not operated his vehicle under the influence, it is possible that this tragic fatal accident could have been avoided.

If you have been injured due to a negligent driver, or have lost a loved one, you may be able to receive fair compensation and peace of mind for your loss. When you are involved in a crash like this, it is likely that there will be expensive medical fees including doctor’s appointments, medication, surgeries, hospital costs, and other expenses. These costs can add up quickly and become a heavy burden while also in the midst of recovering emotionally and psychologically from the damages a car accident of this sort can leave behind. Please contact our Illinois car accident attorneys to see how we may be able to help you.

The Times-Georgian recounted an accident that occurred recently involving a student killed in a school-bus accident. The student was partly flung through a bus window when the bus rolled over on a highway near the student’s school. The driver claimed that he gazed down momentarily, and once he looked up road, the bus had already veered off the road. He attempted to brake in order to stop the bus, but stopped short, hitting a duct causing the bus to roll over.

According to the report, the family of the student has filed a lawsuit against the bus driver, school district and other school officials. The family’s car accident attorney hopes that the investigation will reveal who is responsible for this terrible accident. A police investigation revealed that the bus driver had cough medicine in his blood at the time of the accident. It also appears that the operator of the vehicle had not been certified by state regulations that allow motorists to drive students. The driver’s reckless decision to drive while groggy from the cough syrup, coupled with the school district’s failure to abide by state regulations that required bus drivers to be properly trained and licensed, resulted in the wrongful death of this young student.

Victims who are injured in car, bus, truck or bike accidents caused by distracted or overly-medicated drivers may be able to file lawsuits against the driver at fault. These types of accidents may result in serious injuries that can become costly in regards to medical attention, doctor visits, and potential surgeries, or even more costly, the grief that family members must deal with in the case of a fatality. Filing a lawsuit may result in compensation for medical needs, and may be able to bring family members some peace of mind.

Moreover, our Chicago injury attorneys have handled many cases of this type successfully. If you have been the victim in an Illinois bus accident, or have lost a loved one, our lawyers may be able to help you receive compensation and taking action will draw attention to the severe consequences driving under the influence and distracted driving pose.

KSDK reported on a recent Illinois accident in which a young woman was killed while riding on the back seat of a motorcycle with a friend when their motorcycle struck another motorcycle that was making a U-Turn. Both drivers involved in the accident were injured, and the female passenger died from a serious brain injury. None of them had been wearing helmets according to The State Journal-Register. KSDK says that the investigation of the accident continues, and there are possible charges.

Although the state of Illinois does not have laws that require riders to wear helmets, our Illinois accident attorneys always encourage the use of helmets to riders, in order to reduce the risk of serious brain injury. When reviewing motorcycle helmet use in 2010 overall, the National Highway Safety Administration showed the use of motorcycle helmets nationally dropped by 13%, a significant amount. In the Midwest alone, motorcycle helmet use has dropped almost 24%. Twenty-one states to date (including the District of Columbia) have laws requiring motorists to wear helmets, however, Illinois is not one of them.

An issue that could play a role in this fatal motorcycle was that the woman’s fellow biker made a U-Turn, causing this accident. According to a report prepared by CTC & Associates for The Bureau of Highway Operations, Illinois driving laws that limit U-Turns state, “The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic”. We do not know all of the circumstances surrounding the accident, but the other motorcycle driver may have performed an unsafe U-Turn.

We always encourage the use of safe driving practices for motorcyclists because they are especially vulnerable due to the lack protection these vehicles provide. The investigation in the motorists’ accident continues, but if it is found that either of the motorcycle drivers operated their bikes negligently, the victim’s family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for their loss.

Continue reading "Fatality in Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident " »

CarmiTimes recently reported about an Illinois car accident involving a drunk driver. A seven-year-old pedestrian was involved in the Lawrence County car accident. The driver, who was intoxicated and later charged with driving under the influence, had hit the child while he was on his bicycle, and the bicycle accidently went into the traffic lane. The accident lead to a pedestrian fatality of the seven-year-old child. The negligent driver involved in the Illinois car accident was not only charged with an aggravated driving under the influence, but also endangering the life of a child, failure to slow down in order to avoid an accident, and inability of driver to exercise due care, the CarmiTimes stated. The driver is in the custody of the county and currently in jail. The Illinois State Police, along with the county’s sheriff’s department are cooperating together to further investigate the Illinois car accident.

According to Illinois Drunk Driving Statistics in 2008, 35% of all traffic fatalities involved driving under the influence of alcohol. Drunk driving is completely avoidable and preventable.

People who are injured in car accidents, including those involving driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, can potentially file lawsuits against the negligent driver. The cases may include wrongful death, personal injury, or pedestrian accidents. The victims or loved ones of the persons involved in these cases may have to deal with grief, expensive medical bills, doctor’s appointments and surgeries that can become unbearable and costly. Filing a lawsuit may result in compensation for their lost wages. Furthermore our Illinois injury attorneys have handled many cases of this nature successfully, and may be able to help a victim or the victim’s family members obtain justice and help them grieve.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers continue to draw attention to the severity and possible consequences that drunk driving results in. Too prevent these accidents, involving intoxicated drivers, we strongly support the message that no one should ever operate a motor vehicle while they have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Daily Herald recently reported a disastrous hit and run accident that occurred in Lake Zurich. The Illinois car accident seriously injured two teenage pedestrians, and led to a fatality of a young Lake Zurich woman. The three teenage pedestrians were struck from behind by the automobile while walking on the shoulder of a local street, across from the village’s high school. The motor vehicle has yet to be found, however police continue searching for leads related to the accident.

After the tragic wrongful death accident, the Village of Lake Zurich has begun discussing ways to avoid these accidents in the future. Due to the location of the school, many kids are often on the same street where the accident had occurred, a street that has no sidewalks. In addition to the traffic light at the entrance of the school, which will be installed in 2013, the village continues to consider new ideas to prevent this type of accident from repeating itself.

Pedestrian automobile accidents are extremely serious and not to be taken lightly. Although it is important that the village take action to prevent these types of accidents in general, it is dually important that drivers on the road do their job to prevent these types of accidents as well. Often these accidents are a result of distracted driving where the operator of the car is not focused on the road. In any type of accident, it is unlawful for the operator of one or any of the participating vehicles to flee the scene.

Our Chicago accident lawyers know that the majority of families associated with accidents of this nature feel unease and unrest. Families of the pedestrians injured or killed most likely deal with an immense amount of grief, and their lives are altered by the current physical state of their loved ones. Medical attention, necessary surgeries, and physical rehabilitation can be necessary and costly for the families. Families of wrongful deaths can feel an unbearable weight, and while legal action in wrongful death accidents will not alter the past, it can help bring peace of mind and justice.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Fatality and Injuries in Lake Zurich Hit and Run" »

Our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys recently read with interest a report titled Dangerous by Design released by Transportation for America. The report ranks Illinois the 27th most dangerous state in the U.S., and the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metro area 38th most dangerous in the U.S. for pedestrians. The report highlights the growing issues surrounding pedestrian accidents throughout the country, noting that although pedestrian deaths account for 12% of traffic-related deaths, little has been done to increase pedestrian safety.

The report calls for more attention to the problems and funding increases to create safer roadways for pedestrians. This funding could be used to improve our nation’s sidewalks, trails and crosswalks to create a safer environment for people on foot. The full report can be viewed on Transportation for America’s website.

Far too often, we do not consider the dangers that surround us as we walk to our homes, work, and for entertainment purposes. However, throughout our practice, our Chicago personal injury lawyers have represented a number of injured victims and the families of people who have been wrongfully killed in Illinois pedestrian accidents.

Like other traffic-related accidents, pedestrian accidents can occur under many different circumstances. Sometimes it is a driver who is at fault. In other instances, the pedestrian themself is to blame for disobeying or ignoring traffic signals or due to distractions such as iPods and cell phones. When a driver is responsible for a pedestrian's injuries or death, the victim or his or her family can file a pedestrian accident lawsuit to recover damages and hold all wrongdoers accountable.

Since 1992, we have helped a number of individuals and families in pedestrian accident cases. Most recently, we filed a lawsuit on behalf of a young man who was severely injured while standing on a sidewalk in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. He was hit by a City of Chicago worker who was driving under the influence of alcohol.

We have recovered a number of million dollar settlements in pedestrian accident lawsuits, including a $10 million settlement for a young boy who lost his leg and half his pelvis when he was run over by a City of Chicago Fire Department truck, a $1.25 million pedestrian accident settlement for a 50-year-old hit by a bus at a crosswalk, a $1.25 million pedestrian accident settlement for a woman who was struck and required a right leg amputation, and a $900,000 settlement for a pedestrian with disabilities who was struck suffered leg fractures when he was hit by a truck.

We support Transportation for America’s mission to push for safer environments for pedestrians and hope that the organization’s efforts will help to reduce the number of people seriously injured or killed in pedestrian accidents in Illinois and throughout the country.

Early in October we posted a story on a tragic car accident involving a teen driver and a squad car. An 18 year old man was killed and his 17 year old passenger severely injured following the crash with an Evergreen Park squad car.

The car occupied by the two teens was broadsided by the police car shortly before midnight on October 5th near 95th Street and Central Park Avenue. When the accident happened the officer was attempting to initiate a traffic stop on a different car. The squad car was not marked. Investigators are still looking into crash cam data to piece together the cause of the collision.

According to the policy of the department, an individual officer has discretion of when to initiate a traffic stop. Squad cars often reach high speeds when attempting to make the stops. The officer charged with taking into account other conditions (like location on the road and the weather) to determine the appropriate speed in any given situation.

The mother of the killed teen has now filed suit against both the city of Evergreen Park and the police officer involved in the crash for her son’s wrongful death, according to the Reporter Online. The suit alleges that the officer’s negligent driving led to the crash. The family is seeking compensation for the death, incurred costs, and other losses stemming from the incident.

Continue reading "Lawsuit Filed Against City Following Deadly Squad Car Accident" »

An Illinois teen has admitted to text-messaging at the time that he struck a pedestrian in May of this year. The fatal car accident happened when a pedestrian was crossing the street, not in a crosswalk, and the teen driver failed to see him and struck him with his car, causing him to die as a result of the personal injuries that he sustained in the accident. According to News-Gazette, the teen driver has admitted that he was in fact texting at the time the accident occurred, which is likely a a major part of the reason that he did not see the man crossing the street. Shortly after the accident the teen was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and for texting while driving. At this time it is unknown whether the family of the victim will file a civil lawsuit for wrongful death against the driver or if the State will press criminal charges for vehicular manslaughter. To read more about this tragic pedestrian accident, please click on this link.

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, in which you believe that another person involved acted negligently, you may have grounds to file a civil lawsuit against that person seeking damages in connection with the accident. If you would like to talk to an attorney about what possible actions you have against a negligent driver, please contact an Illinois injury attorney today. This story further reminds drivers the importance of paying attention to the road at all times while driving and the dangers of taking your eyes off of the road for even one minute.

A wrongful death lawsuit settled for just over $2 million dollars in connection with a June 2009 accident in which four people died and another was seriously injured. The car accident occurred after an off duty police officer was at a bar and drank a great deal of alcohol before getting behind the wheel of her car and then later drive into oncoming traffic. The court found both defendants, the police officer responsible for the accident and the bar responsible for serving her liable for the wrongful death of the four individuals. The lawsuit money was divided up between the families of the four victims, the sole survivor and the plaintiff’s attorneys. According to the Courthouse News Service, manslaughter charges are still pending against the police officer. To read more about this car crash lawsuit settlement, please click on this hyperlink.

It is important for bars and any establishment that serves alcohol to realize that they may be held liable for over-serving customers or for failing to stop them from leaving if they are aware that the person is clearly intoxicated. While not all drunk driving accident lawsuits choose to name the bar as a defendant in the case, this may be an option, so we encourage owners to be aware and alert of what is going on throughout your establishment in order to protect patrons and others on the road. If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident and would like to discuss your legal options, please contact an Illinois accident attorney today.

A car accident lawsuit has been filed against a police officer who is believed to have been texting while driving, which then caused a fatal accident. The car accident occurred several weeks ago and happened when the police sergeant allegedly unsafely and illegally changed lanes to enter the highway and crashed into a passenger car killing one of the people in the vehicle. According to WOAI's website, the family of the victim, as well as a surviving passenger from the crash, have filed the wrongful death lawsuit against he police officer, even though the police reports show that both drivers were to blame. The attorneys representing the victim are trying to ensure that phone records are not destroyed or tampered with so they can see if the officer was in fact texting at the time of the accident. If the officer is found to have been texting when the accident occurred this could be very serious because of how recent studies have shown the danger of texting while behind the wheel. Texting while driving is becoming outlawed in many states, including Illinois. To read more about this tragic accident, please click on the link.

According to the Health Finder website, over half a million people were injured and close to 6,000 killed last year in accidents that were caused by distracted drivers using their cell phone (either talking on or texting). Given the incredibly high number of accidents caused by driver distraction with cell phone usage, many states are cracking down on this problem by banning certain phone actions while driving. It is virtually impossible to pay complete attention to the road while checking your cell phone for a text or responding to one and this is a problem that is entirely avoidable. This distracted while driving danger also applies to police officers, and not just other drivers, and if the police officer in this case was found to be texting at the time of the accident he could face serious consequences. Even if the practice is not outlawed where he was driving, the court is very likely to find that he was at fault and that the other driver was not at fault if the officer was distracted by his cell phone at the time of the accident. Please remember how dangerous cell phones can be in terms of distracting a driver and that even one second of not paying attention to the road can lead to tragic accidents.

The family of a bicyclist that was killed in a car accident in 2008 has had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the car. The car crash occurred while the driver was text messaging and got distracted, causing the driver to crash into the bicyclist. The driver, in his distracted state, failed to stop at a stop sign and was ticketed for causing the accident in which the young man was killed. According to About Lawsuits, the lawsuit alleged that the driver was grossly negligent when he intentionally took his eyes off the road while driving. To read more about this accident and car accident lawsuit, please click on this link.

Many states have chosen to deal with the dangers of texting while driving by enacting laws that make it against the law to text message while driving. Illinois is one of the states that have enacted anti-texting laws. In Illinois a law was enacted on January 1, 2010 that makes it against the law to compose or read text messages while driving or at any type the car is in drive, and carries a fine of $75 per offense. Unfortunately, while this law is a great attempt to try to curb the presence of texting while driving, Illinois officers have said that this law is actually very difficult to enforce. The law does not ban drivers from scrolling through their contact lists on their cell phones or for dialing numbers, and both of these acts look very similar to text messaging. At this point the Illinois law is proving hard to enforce however hopefully drivers knowing they may be ticketed for texting will make them reconsider doing it and realize the danger that it creates.

Whenever you are behind the wheel remember how distracting text messaging is to a driver and how much focus it takes off the road. Always refrain from texting while driving and if it is a matter that must be taken care of immediately, please pull off the road while you are texting. This simple act of refusing to text while driving will make you safer on the road and may prevent car crashes.

A Southern Illinois car accident that occurred on March 24th injured two teenage girls and left a third girl dead. The tragic accident occurred when the three girls were bike riding on the side of a road in Gallatin County and an elderly man crossed over the center line striking the three young girls. According to The Associated Content, while one girl suffered injuries so severe that she died as a result, the other two girls were hospitalized with their injuries and will hopefully recover fully. To read more about this horrible Illinois car crash, please click on the link.

Unfortunately, the elderly population makes up for close to 15 percent of all traffic accidents even though the elderly population makes up only about 9 percent of the overall population. Elderly drivers and the families of these drivers should make sure that any elderly driver has a current driver’s license, has had their vision and hearing checked recently and that their reflexes are quick enough for driving. It is important to make sure that elderly drivers are in a safe position to be on the road alone, to help keep them safe as well as other drivers they may encounter.

An Illinois woman was killed earlier this morning when her car was struck by a passenger van. The North Side Chicago accident occurred when a van struck her car, and she was pronounced dead shortly after the accident at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as a result of multiple personal injuries sustained in the crash. According to Chicago Breaking News, this car crash is still under investigation and there is no information at this point if any citations were issued or if any charges will be filed. To read more about this Chicago car accident, click on the link.

If a loved one was killed in a car accident and you believe that the driver that caused the car accident may have been negligent, or was responsible for the car accident in some other way, you may be entitled to compensation on the part of your deceased loved one. Even if charges were not filed against the driver in connection with the accident, there may still be civil options available to the family of the victim and a wrongful death lawsuit may be appropriate to compensate the family of the victim. If you would like to discuss possible options following an accident in which a loved one was killed, please contact a Chicago accident attorney today.

A car accident lawsuit has just concluded with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff of close to $2 million dollars. The car accident occurred in 2007 when a teenage girl was killed in a car accident in which another teenager was driving and tried to jump a hill going 60 miles per hour and crashed into a tree. According to KTIV’s website, the driver is currently in jail for manslaughter and this was a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by the victim’s parents against the driver and his ex-wife (who was the owner of the car). The driver of the car was driving without a license at the time of accident and this is why the parents could sue the owner of the vehicle. In this case the owner of a vehicle was held liable because she knowingly allowed someone to drive her car without a driver’s license. To read more about this car crash settlement, please click on the link.

In Illinois there are certain laws that affect both unlicensed drivers as well as minors involved in a fatal car accident. In Illinois if a minor is involved in a car accident and criminal charges are pending, they cannot be issued a driver’s license or renew a learner’s permit until the charges are cleared. Additionally in Illinois the owner of a vehicle can be held liable when they negligently entrust their vehicle to an unlicensed driver. Both of these driving laws deal with issues and consequences of car accidents similar to the one mentioned above.

The family of a young Illinois man who was killed in December has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the car that killed their son. The car accident occurred when the Defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol and caused the crash in which the young man was killed. According to The Southtown Star, the family is seeking over $50,000 in damages in connection with this accident. The Defendant is also facing criminal charges for drinking and driving and is currently undergoing treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. He has also had his license suspended until 2013. To read more about this tragic accident and the wrongful death lawsuit, please click on this link.

Drunk driving is a leading cause of fatal car accidents and these types of accidents are very preventable. Please make sure that you never drive when you have had too much to drink and always try to encourage others to stay out of the driver’s seat when you feel they have been drinking. Drunk driving causes so many deaths a year, see here, and it will help greatly if everyone does their part to try to keep less drunk drivers off the road.

The family of a Chicago baby that was killed in a fatal car accident last week has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the car that caused the crash. According to the Chicago car accident attorney who filed the case, the accident occurred when the plaintiff was fleeing from a previous crash at 100 miles per hour with headlights that were not operating correctly. According to Chicago Breaking News, the accident occurred at the corner of Parker and Cicero Avenues in Chicago and while the baby’s parents survived the crash, two of their friends who were passengers in the car were also killed. Read the report about this deadly Chicago car crash.

The driver who fled the scene but was later detained. He was released without criminal charges but faces several driving violations. The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the baby’s parents seeks an unspecified amount of money for both their baby’s death and their own injuries sustained in the collision. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a car accident and feel that you may be entitled to compensation by the person responsible, please contact an Illinois accident attorney to further discuss the case and the possible options you may have.

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with a car accident that occurred on December 20th. The car accident occurred on the West Side of Chicago when an off duty Lockport police officer drunkenly drove into the victim’s car, causing the victim to die as a result of his severe injuries. According to Chicago Breaking News, criminal charges have already been brought by Cook County, but this wrongful death claim is against the bar in which the cop was drinking the night of the fatal Chicago accident. If you would like to read more about this tragic car accident and the lawsuit that was recently filed, please click on this hyperlink.

A Chicago car accident on the South Side that occurred on November 14th, left an elderly woman, and another person involved in the accident, dead. The accident occurred at the intersection of 75th and State when a car ran a red light slamming into a car that was making a left hand turn, causing that car to hit two other nearby cars.. According to Chicago Breaking News, the driver of the car that was turning left was a Chicago resident and was killed as a result of the car accident. An elderly woman that was a passenger in the car that ran the red light was also killed in the accident. There are charged pending against the driver of the car that caused the Chicago car accident. Charges may also be filed by the victim’s families for wrongful death for the two victims. For more information on this fatal Chicago car accident, click here.

A woman was charged with aggravated DUI after allegedly being the cause of a North Side Chicago car accident on August 1st in which a motorcyclist was killed. The accident occurred in the early morning hours at the Ashland and Wilson intersection. According to Chicago Sun Times, the woman took a field sobriety test and then was given a blood alcohol test when she was taken to a local hospital. In connection with this lawsuit, a nurse at the hospital has filed a civil lawsuit because she was arrested when she refused to give the driver a blood test when she arrived at the hospital. The civil lawsuit claims that an officer ordered the nurse to take a blood test and when she refused telling him that the woman would have to be a patient of the hospital before she could administer the test, she was arrested. For more information on the criminal and civil case in connection with this Chicago car accident, click here.

A settlement has been reached in connection with a March 2008 car accident in which a police patrol car crossed a double yellow line and struck a group of bicyclists. According to KLIV 1590, two of the bicyclists were killed and their families filed lawsuits in connection with their wrongful deaths. One of these lawsuits was previously settled, and the other one was just settled for $1.2 million dollars. There are two more lawsuits still pending in connection with this tragic car accident. For more information on this fatal car accident, click here.

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.

A woman was ticketed after her car and motorcycle collided near Palatine, Illinois. The automobile accident left the biker and his wife dead. The woman was ticketed for failing to yield from a private drive in an automobile crash that killed two. The car was leaving a gas station when it collided with the motorcycle. It is unclear whether the two were wearing helmets during the motorcycle crash. To read more about the wrongful death, please click the link.

A Midlothian, Illinois couple en route to Colorado to greet their son as he returned from Iraq was involved in a van crash. The husband was killed in the automobile accident in Colorado. His wife was at the wheel of their van and lost control, driving off the left side of the road. As she overcorrected the vehicle, it began to roll. All the windows broke and her husband was thrown from the van. The woman has been charged with the misdemeanor count of careless driving that caused death. The son was told of the automobile accident and the death of his father when he landed in Colorado. To read more about the tragic automobile accident, please click the link.

A lawsuit has been filed against a woman that allegedly sparked a chain-reaction accident in which an Illinois couple was killed in May of this year. This wrongful death suit has been filed, however the Illinois woman has not yet been criminally charged, pending the outcome of a traffic accident reconstruction report. The lawsuit claimed that the woman rear-ended a car that was then pushed into oncoming traffic, where a group of motorcyclists were passing and two of them were killed. For more information on this wrongful death lawsuit, click here.

The daughter of the victim of a fatal accident victim has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the other vehicle, the actual car owner and the City of Chicago. The accident victim was involved in the fatal crash this past May when he was driving home, with the rest of his family, from visiting his son in the Cook County Jail. The driver of the other vehicle ran a red light and hit the victim’s car. The other driver was criminally charged by the State for reckless homicide and aggravated drunk driving when his blood alcohol level was found to be more than double the legal limit. The daughter of the victim has since filed this wrongful death suit. For the full story of this wrongful death suit, click here.

In November 2005, a 56-year-old woman died in a Chicago car accident when a police car blew through a stoplight at 60mph and collided with the SUV she was riding in. On May 11, her family finally saw compensation for the loss of their loving mother and grandmother. Chicago City Council approved a settlement of $3.5 million for the victim’s family. According to the family’s attorney, the police officer was driving too fast for conditions to back-up another officer in a minor incident. To read the full account of this Chicago car accident settlement, follow the link.

A man was killed in a Chicago car accident on the South Side after an alleged drunk driver blew through a stop light and struck his car. A total of three vehicles were involved in the accident and in addition to the death, seven others suffered personal injuries. Chicago Breaking News reports that the driver at fault ran a red light and collided with the deceased driver’s Lexus. The Lexus then crashed into a third car. The driver who caused the car accident was taken into custody by Chicago police. Read the full coverage of this tragic Chicago car accident by following the link.

A 27-year-old man from Kilbourne, IL was charged with aggravated DUI after killing two men and injuring another in a car accident in Mason County, IL. The driver’s farm truck struck a station wagon that the three victims were driving in around 6 p.m. on May 6. The driver, who is now being held on $250,000 bond, did not sustain any personal injuries. Read more about this tragic Illinois car accident.

A Cook County jury recently awarded $13.7 million to the family of a car salesman who was killed during a test drive. The car accident occurred in South Barrington, IL when a potential buyer crashed the car at high speeds. The salesman was thrown from the car and died shortly after at a local hospital. The car accident left two other passengers of the vehicle injured. During the trial, these passengers testified that the car was traveling at 95 mph when the accident occurred. To read more about this Chicago car accident verdict, follow the link.

Lee Blakes of Chicago has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI after killing another man, Leroy Square, in a car accident on April 17. According to a report in the Chicago Sun Times, the accident took place on I-57 in Chicago and occurred when Blakes’ truck rear ended Square’s SUV. Square was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the accident. According to reports, Blakes was speeding before the crash occurred. To read more about this fatal car accident, follow the link,

Recently, the Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog posted an entry about a fatal crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. More information has now come out about the Chicago police man who was driving drunk and caused the accident that killed two young people, Andrew Cazares, 23, and Fausto Manzera, 21. According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, the cop was released on April 12 on $500,000 bail, infuriating those close to the victims. The article also notes that the police officer had a history of driving offenses and was just ordered to pay damages for a 2005 car accident. Read more about the aftermath of this tragic accident by clicking the link.

The 17-year-old driver in a fatal car accident that occurred on July 8, 2008 has been indicted on charges of manslaughter. The high school student, who is being tried as an adult, could face 3 to over 12 years in prison. The teen failed to slow down at a curve and lost control of his Toytoa Tacoma truck, causing it to roll several times after going airborne and land on its rooftop. One of the passengers, another high school student, was pronounced dead at the scene. It is not yet known whether the passenger’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Read more about this fatal car crash.

The son of a married couple who were killed on Christmas Eve 2008 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of a pick-up truck that collided with his parent’s car. The man’s father was killed at the scene of the accident. The man’s mother suffered significant personal injuries and died one week later from these injuries.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the family’s attorney against the driver of the pick-up and his employer who owned the truck. The complaint alleges that the driver was negligent because he was traveling at a high rate of speed, did not maintain control of his car and failed to brake soon enough to prevent this accident from occurring. To read coverage of this fatal car crash, please follow the link.

Deaths related to car accidents have declined in at least 40 states, including Illinois, said a recent survey by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA). While this winter in Chicago we have seen many car accidents, deaths, and wrongful death lawsuits filed due to icy road conditions, overall, Illinois car crash deaths have declined by 16 percent. The main reasons cited for the decline are high gas prices during the first half of the year and general economic difficulties in the second half of the year leading people to drive less. Other reasons include an increase in seat belt use and enforcement of traffic laws, and a trend in drivers reducing speed to improve fuel efficiency. Read the full article about the decline in car accident deaths.

A personal injury lawsuit is being filed in the aftermath of a car accident that left a 10-year-old boy in critical condition and killed four others, including his mother. The boy’s family is seeking over $13 million in damages. The man who caused the accident has been indicted with numerous counts, including driving under the influence of alcohol. The suit also names two bars where the defendant consumed alcohol although he was visible intoxicated, and a woman who allegedly lent the man the car he was driving when he caused the fatal car accident. The boy suffers from brain damage, multiple bone fractures, and a damaged spleen, kidney and liver after the car crash. Read more about this car accident lawsuit.

A settlement amounting to over $500,000 was reached recently in a personal injury lawsuit filed on behalf of a man killed in a car accident in Champaign County, Illinois. The lawsuit claimed wrongful death because the allegedly intoxicated woman that collided with the victim had been previously been stopped by a police officer and friend who, according to the lawsuit, should not have allowed the woman to drive. After the woman continued to drive, she crossed the center line and hit the victim’s car, leading to his death. Read more on this car accident settlement.

A wrongful death lawsuit was just filed on behalf of the mother of a 25-year-old man who was killed as a passenger in a car accident two years ago. The lawsuit alleges that the driver of the vehicle was driving recklessly when he crashed, killing the victim. The victim’s mother is seeking compensation for her son’s pain and suffering as well as the pecuniary losses suffered by her and the victim’s father. Read more about this car crash.

John J. Perconti of Levin & Perconti has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Kane County, Illinois on behalf of a woman who was killed in a serious car accident last fall. The 32-year-olc woman’s vehicle was hit by a truck, causing her to crash into the Illinois Department of Transportation dump truck in front of her. The woman is survived by her husband and 3-year-old son, who were both seriously injured in the truck accident. The truck driver was reportedly under the influence of marijuana and half of the brakes on his semitrailer were deemed out of alignment and inadequate for stopping. Although criminal charges have not been filed yet, the death has been ruled a homicide.

For the Northwest Herald article, click here.
For the Daily Herald article, click here.

A man was killed early yesterday morning in a car accident in South Side Chicago. A man driving west disobeyed a red light and crashed into another vehicle in the intersection. The man continued driving west despite the car crash ultimately striking a concrete barrier. A 29 year-old man was dead on the scene following the car crash.

For the full article.

A man died today after his car crashed into a harbor after breaking through safety railings. Witnesses said that the 82 year-old car crash victim was trying to park his car when the car crashed through the railings, teetered on the wharf and fell into the harbor below. The car crash victim was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

For the full article.

The family of Charles Cason of Caseyville, Illinois has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the trucking company whose driver killed the 55-year-old and two others, and injured 15, in a serious car accident six months ago. The truck driver crashed into a line of 10 vehicles while distracted by his cell phone. An Amish couple being driven to a funeral by a hired driver was also killed in the automobile accident near the Illinois-Missouri border. For the full story, click here.

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.

A Chicago train accident has lead to a train accident fatality. A Chicago car accident is to blame for the driver’s death and for Chicago train delays. The accident was alleged to have occurred because a negligent car driver drove through a railroad gate and into the train’s path. The train hit the car causing the car driver’s death. Luckily there were no passengers injured on the train and the car had no passengers. It is likely an investigation will look into possible car defects to rule out the cause of the car and train accident. There is no news yet if a wrongful death lawsuit will be filed against the train company. To read more about this tragic Chicago accident click here.

A judge denied a defendant’s request for a change of venue in a personal injury lawsuit stemming from a fatal car accident last July. The defendant was driving his tractor-trailer south when he allegedly lost control on a curve. The rig overturned and slid into the driver’s side of an SUV. The driver of the SUV died from his personal injuries sustained in the car accident. The other passengers were also injured.

For the full article.

Three people from the south suburbs of Chicago were killed in an Illinois car accident today between New Lenox and Joliet. The car crash happened this morning on U.S. 30. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other two were pronounced dead just hours later at Silver Cross hospital in Joliet.

For the full article.

Macaulay Culkin’s 29 year-old sister was struck and killed by a car this week. She was rushed to the hospital with massive head trauma and died the next day. The driver in the car accident stopped, rendered aid, and identified himself as required by law.

For the full article.

A jury recently awarded a widow and her three children $11.5 million in damages against the drivers of the vehicle that caused the car accident. The car accident resulted in the wrongful death of a police officer. The driver failed to stop at a stop sign and attempted to make a left turn eastbound, causing the officer to swerve to avoid a direct impact.

For the full article.

Last week, a judge heard arguments for a change of venue in a careless driving case, five months after a car accident killed one person. In July, the driver lost control of his tractor-trailer while driving. The truck overturned and slammed into an SUV, killing the SUV driver. Four others were injured in the truck accident. A wrongful death lawsuit and personal injury lawsuit have also been filed against the driver of the truck.

For the full article.

A man has died from a car accident despite the efforts of a police officer and two other men who tried to save him after a car crash early Friday morning. The police officer and two men lifted his car off him of after the car accident. The car crash victim was pinned under his car after his car rolled over and he was partially ejected. Unfortunately, he was not breathing when rescuers arrived.

For the full article.

An elderly man was killed when his car struck a building in Chicago’s suburban Harvey. The 81-year-old man died of multiple personal injuries after his vehicle slammed into a building at 147th and Green streets. Emergency crews responded to the car crash and the man was pronounced dead at the hospital. The police declined to provide further details and no lawsuits have been filed at this time. To read the full story, click here.

Survivors of two victims killed in a fatal car accident have filed an Illinois personal injury lawsuit against the driver and his employer. The Illinois driver was working for a company when the tow truck he was driving allegedly crashed into a stalled SUV a couple weeks ago.

For the full article.

Authorities are investigating an automobile crash in the Chicago suburb of Monee that left one man dead. The car crash occurred at South Egyptian Trial and Watson Road in Monee, Illinois. The 25-year-old man was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital with grave personal injuries. At this time no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

Two teenagers died in a car accident after a speeding car packed with minors went off a road in the Chicago suburb of Long Grove. Three other children, two teen brothers and their 8-year-old sister, were critically personally injured. The crash occurred in the evening near Driftwood Lane in Lake County. The 15-year-old was driving when a Chevrolet Cobalt when one of its tires went off the road in the car accident. The car then veered back across the road, struck a picket fence and a driveway and then went airborne before crashing through several trees and coming to rest with the rear of the car against a large tree. The driver was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. A 14-year-old girl who was sitting behind the driver in the vehicle was thrown out during the car crash and was dead on the scene. A 15-year-old, 13-year-old and 8-year-old were all critically personally injured and taken to the hospital. The sheriff’s office is investigating why a 15-year-old, who was too young to have a driver’s license, was driving when the car crash occurred. At this time, no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A man died after his sport-utility vehicle collided with a school bus in Orland Park, Illinois. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment of his personal injuries and was pronounced dead about an hour after the automobile accident. The man was traveling east on Southwest Highway at 179th Street in his SUV when he collided with a mid-size school bus owned by Alpha Bus Services in Crestwood, Illinois. Two men were also treated for minor personal injuries at the scene. At this time no bus accident lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A 5-year-old boy died in a car accident in Naperville, Illinois near West Bailey Road. The 5-year-old was in a car seat in a vehicle that had pulled to the side of the road when it was struck by another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Officers and emergency personal responded to the scene of the multi-vehicle crash. Two vehicles were involved in a crash near the intersection at Plainfield-Naperville Road and West Bailey Road and because of the severity of the crash the occupants of both vehicles were taken to the hospital for treatment of their personal injuries. The exact number of victims who had personal injuries was not available. While the car crash investigation continues, no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A cab driver was killed and two people were personally injured in an automobile accident in Woodridge, Illinois. The cab driver, who was from Chicago, was driving the taxi when it was struck by another vehicle at Joliet and Davey Roads. The survivors suffered what were thought to be non-life-threatening personal injuries. The car crash occurred in the middle of the afternoon and involved three vehicles. The man was pronounced dead approximately an hour and a half later. While the police continue their investigation, no personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A Chicago man died after being struck by a vehicle at Barrington Road and Bristol Lane in the Chicago suburb of Hanover Park. The man was pronounced dead in the early morning at the hospital. Another pedestrian was also hospitalized with personal injuries. Police said that no charges or citations have been filed against the driver in the automobile accident. At this no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

An 8-year-old boy was killed and his brother and uncle personally injured when the SUV they were in struck a Chicago building. An SUV crashed into a building on the 4500 block of West Bryn Mawr Avenue. The 8-year-old boy was ejected from the automobile and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The man driving the SUV was taken to the hospital with personal injuries. Additionally the 12-year-old passenger was taken to a hospital with personal injuries. Sources said that the children were in the back seat when the driver, who was their uncle, struck a residential building. The driver was in police custody, but no charges had been filed. The police are still investigating the automobile accident and at this time, no lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

An Illinois man was killed when the car he was riding in crashed into the porch of a Chicago suburban house. The driver of the automobile was driving westbound in the 600 block of East Chicago Street when he lost control of the automobile. The automobile hit the porch before coming to a stop in front of a nearby house. The 26 year old man was pronounced dead at the hospital. The driver of the vehicle was taken to the hospital with personal injuries not believed to be life-threatening. At this time, no automobile accident lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A mother and her two children were killed in an automobile accident in southwest Joliet, Illinois. A vehicle traveling west at Gardner Blackstop struck a vehicle traveling south on Illinois Route 47. The impact forced the southbound vehicle to roll several times before coming to rest in a cornfield southwest of the intersection. A mother and her two children, all from Dwight Illinois, were killed in the crash. The 11 month old infant and the three year old boy were ejected from their seats in the car crash. They were taken to the hospital were they were pronounced dead. The children’s mother was pinned in the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The police are investigating the automobile accident. At this time no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A 10-year old boy was struck and killed by an automobile close to his home in unincorporated Cook County. The boy was riding a bicycle and was crossing a four-lane road with a median when he was hit by the car. He was not crossing at an intersection or crossing. The boy made it across the northbound lanes, but once he went to the southbound lanes there was a semi-truck and a van quickly approaching. The truck driver hit his brakes and avoided the boy, but the driver of the van couldn’t see the boy and struck him. The drivers of both vehicles immediately stopped and called 911. The boy was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Toxicology tests were administered to the driver of the van but results won’t be available for days and no citations were issued. To read the full story, click here.

Two separate motorcycle crashes on the North Side stretch of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago left two people dead. The first occurred near Belmont Avenue when a car and motorcycle collided. The 34 year old man was pronounced dead approximately 40 minutes after the crash. About three hours later, a motorcycle traveling in the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive near Oak Street scraped the center median which caused the female passenger to be ejected from the bike and thrown into the northbound lanes. Preliminary information indicated that another vehicle may have been involved in the crash, but that car’s role is not immediately known. The 33 year old woman died from injuries she suffered during the crash and was pronounced dead shortly after the crash. The male driver of the motorcycle suffered minor personal injuries and was treated and released. He was not cited for the crash. While both motorcycle crashes are being investigated, no lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

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.

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.

Four people died in the early morning in a head-on collision in an Illinois County when a Pontiac Grand Am crossed the center line and slammed into a Pontiac Grand Prix. The driver, who was 18, of the Grand Am was airlifted to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two passengers in his car, both 19, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Grand Prix, also 19, was also pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation found that the Grand Am was driving south on Burlington Road when he crossed the center line and hit the Grand Prix who was driving northbound. Preliminary information shows drugs and alcohol appear to be factors in the automobile crash. While the investigation of the crash continues, no lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

An automobile fatally struck a man on the West Side of Chicago. The vehicle struck the 28 year old man at the intersection of West Madison Street and Francisco Avenue. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy determined that the man died of multiple personal injuries from a vehicle striking a pedestrian. Although the death was ruled an accident, the police Major Investigation Unit is investigating the automobile accident. They are refusing to comment about the automobile accident and the death of the man. At this time, no wrongful death or automobile accident lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

Police are investigating an individual that is connected to a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a woman on the West Side of Chicago. The 43-year-old woman was crossing Chicago Avenue when an eastbound blue and white conversion van struck her causing her immediate death. The woman was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. The van continued east on Chicago after the automobile accident. At this time no charges nor lawsuits have filed. To read the full story, click here.

The family of a 69-year-old woman run over and killed in a dangerous mid-block crosswalk by a Chicago firefighter driving too fast for the raining conditions received a $700,000 settlement by a City Council committee. The woman was crossing South Chicago Avenue when she was hit by a two-day-old Ford Expedition carrying the Fire Department’s 6th District deputy chief and his driver. The accident occurred two years ago on the 9200 block of South Chicago. The woman was dressed in dark clothing when she stepped off the center median and into the path of the SUV, which was not on an emergency call and did not have its emergency lights or sirens activated. The crosswalk has blinking lights, but they were not working at the time of the accident. City traffic engineers examined the crosswalk after the accident for possible safety improvements. Chicago Fire Department officials had insisted that the SUV was driving at or below the posted speed limit and the senior stepped right into the path of the oncoming vehicle. To read the full story, click here.

A single-car crash early today left three people victims. One passenger was killed and two others were injured. The crash was originally reported as a hit-and-run, but police later said that their investigation determined that only one vehicle was involved in the deadly car accident. The driver of the car lost control, struck a curb, and then a tree before slamming into a light pole. The victim who died was ejected from the vehicle. The Chicago car crash occurred shortly before 3:30 am on the Southwest Side of Chicago in Illinois.

A Chicago cyclist died after being hit by a car on Lake Shore Drive. Local news stories are unclear as to the exact chronology of the accident but most reports appear to indicate that the man was on his bicycle on Lake Shore Drive near Belmont when he was struck by a car. The cyclist was then thrown over the median to his death on the other side of the highway. This type of automobile accident involving a bicycle accident shows the dangers of using bicycles on state highways. Bicycle accidents are more common during summer months.

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.

A Cook County jury awarded $2.5 Million to the family of a nonagenarian who was struck by a van while crossing the street. The verdict included $1 Million for pain and suffering because the woman was alive when she was dragged 25 feet by the van. At trial, there was a dispute as to whether the woman or the driver proceeded on a red light. However, the jury did not hear evidence of a ticket given to the driver for “failing to exercise due care to avoid striking a pedestrian.” In reaching this verdict, the jury was asked to consider the quality and dignity of the life the woman led and the strong relationship she had with her family. The verdict speaks to the necessity of the availability of punitive damages, suggesting that many of today’s proposed tort reforms will only harm the families of individuals such as this woman that suffer unnecessarily.

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.

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.

Michael Murphy, 31, was chasing his dog on a Chicago, Illinois street when both he and the dog were struck by a car and killed. The driver, Jephious Morris, left the scene of the accident after hitting Murphy and his dog. Afterwards, Morris filed a false police report claiming that his car had been stolen. Morris later turned himself into police and was charged in connection with the fatal automobile accident. There is no word yet whether the family of the deceased will file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Read more here.

Numerous studies have shown that talking on a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle increases the risk of automobile accidents. In a recent wrongful death lawsuit, a jury awarded $21.6 million to a man who's wife was killed in a car accident by a driver talking on her cell phone. The defendant claimed that although the female driver was negligent, the accident was not caused because she was talking on her cell phone. The jury disagreed.

Truck accidents are one of the most deadly and dangerous types of automobile accidents because the two motor vehicles can vary greatly in size and power. Some accidents can be caused by weather or an outside force, but too many result from the negligence of the driver. In recent years, truck traffic has increased, as have complaints of excessive speed by truck drivers. A family of five was recently killed by a truck driver in an accident. The family's car was stopped at an intersection when a truck pummeled into car killing the occupants almost instantly. The truck driver is being charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death. The driver refused to provide a breath sample at the scene, but police reports indicate that excessive speed and alcohol were contributors. A wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver has yet to be filed.

In February 2007, an elderly couple from Brookfield, Illinois was struck by a drunk driver while crossing the street. The woman was killed at the time of the pedestrian accident and her husband died days later from injuries sustained in the crash. Through her Illinois personal injury attorney, the couple's daughter sued the driver in a civil wrongful death lawsuit which recently settled for $500,000. The criminal trial is still going on in Cook County. An off-duty Chicago police officer saw the accident and apprehended the driver, who intended to leave the scene. He was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence. The couple's daughter said that the settlement provided some degree of closure noting that with less to worry about she could have time to grieve the loss of her parents.

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The Illinois wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a 15-year-old in Southern Illinois has resulted in a $10 million ruling in Saline County Circuit Court. The teen was killed in an automobile accident after the car he was in was struck by a farm truck. The defendants admitted negligence; the truck failed to stop at an intersection, striking the victim's car and ejecting him and another passenger from the vehicle. The injuries sustained by the teen resulted in his death. Such a high award is uncommon in Southern Illinois, but in this case the court found that the survivors of the teen had incurred a significant loss of society and that the wrongful death warranted the compensation of $10 million.

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A second personal injury and wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against several Illinois taverns that served alcohol to a man who later was involved in an alleged drunk driving accident that killed two. The victims of this accident were two young men, aged 20 and 25. Each of the men’s families have filed automobile accident lawsuits, blaming the taverns that served the driver. The driver is currently being criminally charged with homicide by vehicle, as well as with several other lesser charges.

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The family of a young woman who died in a fatal automobile accident that occurred on the way back from the BMW Championship is suing the organizer of the golf tournament, the Western Golf Association, for wrongful death. Also being sued are Waste Management and Barton Staffing Services of Joliet, Illinois. The deceased woman was in a van that was transporting workers back to their homes when a faulty wheel and/or brakes caused the van to crash on I-55. The van was carrying fourteen passengers, and four of those passengers now face deportation for being in the country illegally. However, the two people who died as a result of this automobile accident were in the county legally, and the young woman was a U.S. citizen born in Chicago. Immigration rights activists have criticized the WGA for not doing enough to acknowledge the WGA's role in these deaths. The family’s representative stated, “You cannot hire a contractor and say [you] don't care how much you pay your staff or what conditions you allow them to work under and then say you have no responsibility when they die as a result of being transported to work in an unsafe vehicle.”

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A wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of a two-year-old boy who is the only surviving family member of a car accident involving a tow truck. The toddler, his older brother, and both of his parents were returning home after watching fireworks.

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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.

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A $1,400,000 settlement was recently reached that alleged wrongful death, personal injury and property damage on behalf of a 75-year-old woman who was killed in a car accident when the principal of a local high school returning from a school trip swerved into oncoming traffic. The woman's husband, also 75-years-old, suffered major injuries. Plaintiffs in the case also include the couple's 11 children. The Plaintiffs also received a $100,000 settlement from the life insurance policy of the principal, who also died in the accident.

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