Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Kills Four in Chicago

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:44:25 -0600

Four young men are dead as a result of a Chicago drunk driving accident.

Three of the young men had reportedly been out drinking at a club that night. The fourth, was a young father, was on his way to see his fiancee.

The vehicles collided in a fiery crash, which occurred while the accused drunk driver was heading the wrong way on I-80 in Hazel Crest.

A fifth man, a backseat passenger in the car full of club-goers, remains in critical condition at a nearby hospital, according to reports from NBC Chicago.

The early morning crash forced police to shut down the highway for six long hours, re-opening just after 8 a.m.

Our Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers know that any time a life is lost in such a senseless tragedy, family members and friends never quite recover. They may carry on their daily lives and responsibilities, but they know things will never be the same. To have this grief amplified by the loss of four lives is almost unimaginable.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, outspoken advocates on the issue of impaired driving, report that every year, nearly 11,000 people are killed because of accidents in which a driver had been drinking. That breaks down to about one every 50 minutes.

In this case, four were lost in mere seconds.

According to news reports, a 29-year-old driver, and his friends had been hanging out at a club in Harvey, and were heading home around 2:15 a.m.

Investigators say he missed his exit. Rather than getting off at the next exit to turn around, he made an illegal u-turn to head east in the westbound lanes of the highway.

That's when his Infiniti crashed head-on into the victim's Ford Wagon, just between Kedzie Avenue and Toll Plaza 43.

Family members of the men were blindsided by the news.

The victim's fiancee said she tried to call him that night to warn him that fog on the road was bad that night. She didn't want him to risk getting into an accident to come see her. But when she dialed, there was no answer.

By the time she placed that call, the first responders were just starting to arrive.

Just as panic was beginning to set in, she got a call from his mother. He was gone.

The vast scope of this tragedy makes it appear rare. However, police say this is the second alcohol-related, wrong-way driving crash in a week, and the third in the last two months.

Earlier this month, investigators said an SUV was going the wrong way on Stevenson Expressway for nearly 6 miles before it crashed near Lake Shore Drive into another car. And last month, a driver heading the wrong way almost hit a state trooper on the Kennedy Expressway. The trooper was conducting a traffic stop near Kostner Avenue when another motorists swerved around the cruiser.

Factors Affecting Teen's Risks for Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:10:26 -0600

Teen drivers face some of the highest risks for car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere. There are a number of reasons for these risks. Two recent studies, released in the Journal of Adolescent Health, discuss two of the top factors -- passengers and parents. Both of the studies produced results that support graduated driver's licensing (GDL) programs and parental involvement.

Our Chicago teen car accident lawyers know that teens can get a little bit ahead of themselves when they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Often, teen drivers underestimate the dangers that they face on our roadways. The recent studies concluded that drivers typically have a better awareness of the risks they face when parents are actively involved in their driving habits, know where they are and set ground rules. The second study determined that other teenage passengers can increase your teen driver's risks for an accident as they're more likely to make illegal and aggressive driving maneuvers while other young passengers are present.

Both of the studies were led by researchers with the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The first study examined 198 teen drivers who were ages 15 to 17. Researchers were exploring the teens' desire to take risks, their perceptions of dangers and the amount of parental monitoring. In this study, researchers concluded teens who were more erratic at the wheel and those who failed to recognize dangers were typically the product of less-involved parents.

"The good news is that most of the teens in the study reported being aware of the risks of driving dangerously," said lead author Jessica Mirman, Ph.D.

The second study examined accident reports from more than 675 drivers aged 16 to 18. In these accidents, it was revealed that male and female drivers react differently to passenger distractions. While one was not safer than the other, they were reacting in different way. Boy drivers who were in the car with passengers were most likely to speed, drive aggressively and perform illegal maneuvers just before an accident. Young female drivers who were driving with passengers were more likely to fidget with makeup, look at the other passengers, text message and eat while behind the wheel.

The study revealed that about 20 percent of young female drivers and about 25 percent of young male drivers were distracted just seconds before a serious accident.

The bottom line is there are factors that can decrease our young driver's risks for accidents. A graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program is the first of these factors. Young drivers should gain experience behind the wheel through a number of restrictive stages. They should be made to take on difficult tasks behind the wheel one phase at a time.

The second of the factors was parent involvement. When a parent keeps tabs on their child's whereabouts and their driving habits, teens are more likely to recognize roadway dangers and alter their driving habits to accommodate these dangers.

Officials Increase Enforcements to Reduce Risks of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois on Super Bowl Sunday

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:07:49 -0600

Many residents will be cracking open a cold one for the start of the big game on Sunday -- Super Bowl XLVI. Unfortunately, many of these residents will continue to crack them open through the entire game and then they'll get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and increase the risks of a drunk driving car accident in Illinois.

Officials in Kane County and elsewhere throughout the state are preparing. They recently announced that they will be practicing a "no-refusal" drunk driving enforcement crackdown all day on Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Our Chicago drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that Super Bowl Sunday is an unofficial American holiday. Unfortunately, it's also known as one of the most dangerous times to be on our roadways. To help combat these dangers, officers will be out conducting no-refusal sobriety stops, which is supplemented by prosecutors and judges who are on call to draft and serve warrants that force those who officers believe to be intoxicated to take a Breathalyzer test or a blood sample if they refuse. The department has recruited a phlebotomist to help with the enforcement efforts to draw blood on the spot.

The warrants are used to try to speed up the booking processes on those who are suspected to be intoxicated behind the wheel. The effort is targeting repeat offenders as well, who try to avoid prosecution by refusing to offer incriminating evidence. Refusing to take a Breathalyzer test is in fact illegal, but refusing to take one can often work to a repeat offender's advantage. With a second conviction of drunk driving, a person faces a five-year driver's license revocation instead of just a three-year suspension for refusing to take the test.

Don't get your hopes up. Those who refuse to cooperate after they've been issued a warrant can face even tougher sentences and a contempt charge.

This is the eighth no-refusal enforcement effort for Kane County. Officials felt that it was necessary to hold one of these enforcement efforts on Super Bowl Sunday because the week before is one of the biggest annual period for alcohol sales -- it's also one of the biggest time for drivers to get behind the wheel after drinking.

"We want people to have fun, to watch the Super Bowl, to rate the commercials and to enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends," said Joseph McMahon, Kane County State's Attorney. "But when the game is over, safety and responsibility are in order. Impaired driving is not an option."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 175,000 people across the country have pledged to be a designated driver during the upcoming Super Bowl. We would like to remind residents to either pledge to stay sober or to commit yourself to a friend or family member who agrees to be your designated driver.

Illinois pedestrian accident attorney settles DuPage County lawsuit for $600,000

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:03:26 -0600

Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer Gary Annes has reached a $600,000 settlement. The claim stems from a DuPage County automobile vs. pedestrian collision that occurred in Lyle, Illinois in November, 2008. Liability, was difficult and heavily contested in the case.

The pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Center Avenue in an unmarked crosswalk. The intersection is near a METRA train station and frequently crossed by train passengers.

Our client was a pedestrian walking from the nearby train station to his automobile parked in a commuter parking lot. He crossed north from the southwest corner of the intersection toward the northwest corner. He safely crossed the two lanes of eastbound traffic and stood in the median waiting until it was safe to cross the westbound lanes. A car approaching in the centermost westbound lane stopped for him to cross. The pedestrian crossed in front of the stopped car, checked to his right to ensure that it was clear to cross the outside lane of westbound traffic. It was clear and he began to cross the last lane.

At the intersection there was a handicap ramp cut-out of the sidewalk and curb at Center’s intersection with Ogden. However, there was no marked crosswalk at the location and the accident occurred at night. Further, the westbound traffic had no stop sign.

The defendant, a seventy-eight year old gentleman, was driving westbound on Ogden Avenue approaching its intersection with Center Avenue. The pedestrian had safely crossed almost the entire outside lane of traffic and was only a step away from the edge of the road when Defendant struck our client with the front passenger side corner of his vehicle. The force of the impact threw him up on to the windshield of Defendant’s vehicle and then forward and to the right, landing directly in front of another vehicle. The plaintiff was found in a pool of his own blood and transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital.

The Lisle Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. The responding officer spoke with Defendant and a witness about the incident. Defendant admitted to the responding officer that he hit our client and stated that initially he thought he only struck a rock. Defendant admitted that he had not seen the pedestrian at any time before he struck him with his car.

Truckers Required to Rest More by FMCSA to Help Reduce Risks of Trucking Accidents in Illinois, Nation

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:38:39 -0600

Trucking accidents are a top concern for safety officials. What's even more of a concern is tired truck drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are roughly 100,000 police-reported accidents every year that are the direct result of a drowsy driver. These accidents result in nearly 2,000 fatalities, more than 70,000 injures and nearly $13 billion in monetary losses.

Those concerns are exacerbated when the driver is at the wheel of an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer.

Definitions of drowsy driving generally involve varying degrees of fatigue, sleepiness, and exhaustion. For the purpose of the discussion at hand, drowsy driving is simply driving in a physical state in which the driver's alertness is appreciably lower than it would be if the driver were “well rested” and “fully awake.”

Our Chicago trucking accident lawyers understand that truckers face some tough schedules on the job. These drivers are oftentimes traveling our roadways on little to no sleep. Products are in demand and truckers are responsible for delivering the goods. Unfortunately, this demand often leads to fatigued and dangerous drivers. To help to reduce these accidents and to keep truck drivers awake and on their toes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued a new rule to cut down on the number of hours that truck drivers are allowed to spend behind the wheel.

"Trucking is a difficult job, and a big rig can be deadly when a driver is tired and overworked," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The new hours of service (HOS) rule was finalized after the Administration held a number of public listening sessions across the nation. Within these sessions, trucking companies, employers, employees, safe driving advocates and members of the public were provided with an opportunity to bring up questions, comments and concerns regarding the issue and the dangers presented by tired truckers.

The Newly-Issued HOS Rule:

-Drivers' approved work weeks have been reduced by 12 hours, from 82 hours to 70 hours behind the wheel in a seven-day period.

-Drivers are not allowed to drive for more than 8 consecutive hours without taking a 30-minute break.

-Drivers are allowed to take a 30-minute break whenever they feel it's needed and whenever they feel drowsy.

-Drivers may drive only 11 hours a day. Researchers will be continuing research into the risks associated with an 11-hour work day.

-Drivers must rest for at least 2 nights when their 24-hour body clock demands sleep the most (from 1 to 5 a.m.).

-Drivers may use the restart provision once in a week.

-Fines for companies who violate the new rules will be strict. Companies can face maximum fines and punishments. Trucking companies can face fines of more than $10,000 for each offense. Drivers can face nearly fines of $3,000 for each offense.

Who is most at risk for drowsy driving?:

-People who drive after not getting enough sleep.

-Younger drivers. Drivers under the age of 30 are 4 times more likely to get into a drowsy driving accident.

-People who work long hours and shift workers.

-People who have undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders. This accounts for roughly 40 million people.

-Business Travelers.

Study Examines Distraction-Related Pedestrian Accidents in Chicago, Nation

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:03:00 -0600

As our Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys recently reported, pedestrian accidents are a growing concern for safety officials. Despite record-low numbers of traffic fatalities in 2010, the number of serious and fatal pedestrian accidents actually increased.

Transportation For America recently released a study that attempted to pin some of the blame on pedestrians -- specifically the growing popularity of headphones.

The truth of the matter is that a vast majority of pedestrian accidents are the fault of the driver. Many components can contribute to these accidents, including drowsy driving, distracted driving, speeding and failing to obey traffic devices. Fatal pedestrian accidents caused by drivers are completely preventable.

Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers understand that traveling while engaging in distractions is never a good idea, whether you're driving or walking. This is especially important along busy roadways, like the ones in our Chicago area. When traveling in these areas, you need all of your senses to travel safely. From 2000 to 2009, there were nearly 50,000 pedestrians who were killed while walking along U.S. roadways. But according to The University of Maryland, just 115 of these deaths were blamed on pedestrians wearing headphones. Driver distraction is much more likely to lead to serious or fatal pedestrian accidents.

You may remember the distracted pedestrian story from 2008 in which Barack Obama’s adviser, Valerie Jarrett, confessed that she fell off a Chicago curb while she was texting on her Blackberry.

"I didn't see the sidewalk and I twisted my ankle," said Jarrett. "It was a nice wake-up call for me to be a lot more careful in the future, because I clearly wasn't paying attention and I should have."

There are a number of ways to help reduce pedestrian accidents in Illinois. We need safer crosswalks. We need more driver awareness. Until we live in the "perfect" world with protected sidewalks for all, we're asking for pedestrians to put their best foot forward in an attempt to help reduce the risks for an accident along our roadways and our sidewalks.

Pedestrian Safety Tips, from the City of Chicago:

-Always use a sidewalk or a path when one is available. If you have no other choice but to walk along the street, remember to do so while facing oncoming traffic so you and oncoming drivers can see one another. Just be sure to walk as far away from traffic as possible.

-Remember that other vehicles and standing objects can hinder a driver's view. Make sure that you can see the driver before making any movements in the street.

-Make a plan to walk along routes that are clear of dangerous crossings.

-Make sure to look in all directions for oncoming traffic before crossing a street.

-Never rely on traffic signals.

-Keep a lookout for turning vehicles. In these instances, drivers are concentrated on making turns and not on pedestrian traffic. Look in all directions for these drivers as they come from all different directions. Always make sure that a turning driver sees you.

-Make sure that you understand the meanings of the crosswalk signals.

Chicago car accident attorney reaches $37,000 settlement

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:37:27 -0600

This claim arose out of a Chicago-area car crash which took place on November 4, 2010 at approximately 7:59 a.m.

The plaintiff was driving northbound in his GMC truck on Harlem Avenue approaching Route 83 in Palos Heights, Illinois. The defendant was driving a Mitsubishi gallant, also northbound on Harlem Avenue approaching Route 83, directly behind our client when he came to a stop in traffic. The defendant then failed to stop or slow her vehicle and struck the plaintiff's vehicle. The front of the at fault driver's vehicle struck the rear of our client's vehicle. The force of the impact pushed his car forward.

The Palos Heights Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After interviewing the parties, they placed the defendant at fault in their report.

We alleged to the defendant's insurance company that their insured failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or slow down for traffic, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiff.

Following the incident the client had an immediate onset of neck, back, and chest pain. He was taken from the scene of the occurrence by ambulance to Palos Community Hospital’s Emergency Department. A history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed.

There he underwent X-rays to his cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, thoracic spine, and chest, as well as a CT scan of his chest and an echocardiogram. He was diagnosed with cervical, back, and neck strain. He also received a cardiology consultation and was diagnosed with chest pain due to musculoskeletal chest discomfort. He was prescribed muscle relaxants and pain medication, instructed to follow up with a physician, and discharged.

The plaintiff followed up with a physician on November 10, 2010. He complained of pain in his lumbar back, pain in his hips into his mid dorsal area, as well as pain in his cervical spine. He struggled with daily activities, including rising from a seated position. He also had headaches and sharp pain across the left side of his chest at the seatbelt site. There was a small bruise on his lumbar area. The doctor diagnosed him with muscle inflammation and instructed him to follow up in three weeks.

Our client returned to the physician on December 1, 2010. He continued to complain of pain and spasms to his lumbar area, pain at his mid dorsal area, and pain across his chest. He obtained minimal relief from his muscle relaxants and pain medication. Additionally, he was having trouble sleeping as his pain prevented him from resting comfortably. The doctor prescribed a course of physical therapy and instructed him to follow up in six weeks.

Per his physician's instructions, the client engaged in physical therapy at Palos Community Hospital’s Physical/Occupational Therapy Division beginning on December 7, 2010. He had pain with activites of daily life, like rising from a seated position, getting out of a car, and walking more than ten feet. His pain was made worse with bending, lifting, sitting, standing, walking, coughing, sneezing, and turning his neck and back. Additionally, he could not pick up his granddaughter because of his injuries. He engaged in seventeen (17) sessions of physical therapy and was discharged on February 8, 2011.
The plaintiff followed up with his doctor again on March 7, 2011 and again on April 18, 2011. While he received some relief from physical therapy, he was still in pain and having troubling sleeping. The physician prescribed valium for him on April 18, 2011, and provided follow up care on May 23, 2011 and June 13, 2011, at which time he was discharged.

As a result of the collision, the claimant struggled with daily tasks. He could not sit, stand, or even walk more than ten feet without pain.

The claim settled for just under $37,000. State Farm Insurance paid on the claim

Policy limits settlement reached in Chicago area auto accident claim

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:37:30 -0600

An Illinois accident attorney at Abels & Annes has resolved a traffic collision case on behalf of one of our clients. The claim arises out of an incident which took place on April 24, 2011, at approximately 12:27 a.m. The plaintiff was injured when the automobile she was driving was T-boned by a vehicle being operated by a negligent driver.

Our client was driving northbound on Broadway at or near 150th in Harvey, Illinois. The defendant was driving her automobile westbound on 150th, approaching its intersection with Broadway. The intersection of Broadway and 150th is a four-way stop. She came to a complete stop at 150th, checked that traffic was clear, and proceeded through the intersection.

The other motorist failed to properly stop at the intersection and proceeded to cross Broadway, striking the rear passenger’s side of our client's vehicle with the front end of her vehicle.

The Harvey Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. After speaking to both parties, the investigating officer placed the defendant at fault for the collision. The negligent motorist admitted to the responding officer that while she crossed the intersection, she looked away from the road and down to the floor of her vehicle, searching for CDs she dropped. She stated that she looked up just as she struck the plaintiff's vehicle. She was cited for disobeying a stop sign. She also failed to yield to traffic.

We alleged to the defendant's insurance carrier that their insured failed to stop and/or reduce her speed to avoid a collision, disobeyed a stop sign, failed to pay proper attention to the road conditions, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including our

Following the collision, our client had an immediate onset of neck, shoulder, and back pain.

Shortly after, she sought medical treatment from an orthopedic physician in Chicago. She complained of pain along the right side of her neck and right shoulder, made worse with motion of her neck, as well as lower back pain and a tingling sensation in her right arm and hand. A history was taken, a physical examination was performed and diagnostic tests were ordered. An exam revealed pain on palpation of the paracervical muscles and also of the supraspinatus muscle, increased with motion of the neck. She also had tenderness on palpation of the lumbar area. She was diagnosed with a sprain/strain of the cervical and lumbar spines. She was prescribed pain medication, instructed to begin physical therapy, and ordered to have x-rays of her cervical and lumbar spines taken.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, the plaintiff returned to her doctor's office for treatment on May 12, 2011. She complained of pain in her lower back which radiated to her left leg, numbness in her right thigh, and pain along her cervical spine. The physician reviewed the x-rays of her cervical and lumbar spine taken on May 6, 2011, which showed no fractures. He diagnosed her with a sprain/strain of the cervical and lumbar spines and ordered an MRI of her lumbar spine.

She next followed up on May 24, 2011. At that time, her doctor reviewed the MRI of her lumbar spine, which was taken on May 13, 2011. The MRI showed disc injuries at more than one level. She continued to complain of sharp lower back pain which radiated to her left leg. On exam, she had pain on palpation with muscle spasms of the paraspinal muscles. Her sensory reflexes were diminished in her left thigh. Her doctor then referred her to an orthopedic surgeon.

On her physician's referral, she sought treatment from an orthopedic physician. At that time, she complained of constant sharp pain at her lower back which radiated caudally into both buttocks, thighs, and calves, as well as neck pain that radiated into both shoulders, arms, and hands. She also had moderate paresthesia. The pain was so severe that it affected her sleeping and prevented her from engaging in her regular activities. The doctor reviewed the MRI which identified disc herniations and diagnosed her with a lumbar disc injury/lumbar radiculopathy. He instructed her to continue physical therapy and to follow up with him for fluoroscopy guided right-sided L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 selective nerve root block, transforaminal epidural steroid injections.

Our client received the transforaminal epidural steroid injections on June 1, 2011 and interlaminar fluoroscopy guided lumbar epidural steroid injections on June 22, 2011 .

The car accident case settled for the defendant's insurance policy limits of $20,000.

Unlicensed Drivers Wreaking Havoc and Causing Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:47:28 -0600

According to recent studies conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about one out of every five drivers who are involved in a fatal car accident in Chicago and elsewhere are unlicensed or improperly licensed. Of all of the traffic accidents that occurred from 2007 to 2009, more than 85 percent of drivers who were involved in a fatal accident were properly licensed. Nearly 7 percent of drivers reportedly had suspended or revoked licenses, more than 1 percent had expired or canceled license and about 5 percent were unlicensed.

Of all fatal car accidents from 2007 to 2009, nearly 20 percent of drivers were invalidly licensed. Accidents with these individuals took more than 20,000 lives during this time.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers understand that drivers between the ages of 21- and 34-years-old are the most likely to be behind the wheel with an invalid driver's license. But there are drivers in all age groups guilty of this. With improperly licensed and unlicensed drivers come uninsured motorists. Improperly licensed drivers are plaguing our roadways and are causing legal and financial headaches for all of the responsible drivers in this country. If you have been involved in a traffic accident with an invalid or unlicensed driver, it is critical for you to contact an experienced attorney. Seeking restitution from such drives can be made more difficult if they lack insurance.

Statistics also illustrated that about half of all improperly licensed drivers who were involved in a fatal accident had alcohol in their system at the time of the accident.

If that's not bad enough, more than 50 percent of invalid licensed drivers who were involved in a fatal accident reportedly fled the scene.

Licenses Status of Drivers during Fatal Accidents from 2007 to 2009:

-Valid Licenses: Nearly 132,500.

-Unlicensed Drivers: Nearly 8,000.

-Suspended or Revoked Licenses: Nearly 10,300.

-Expired, Denied or Canceled Licenses: Nearly 2,000.

The number of unlicensed drivers is alarming in the country. With unlicensed drivers come uninsured drivers. With uninsured drivers come headaches and costly bills for responsible licensed and insured drivers.

"On average there is still one needless death every 16 minutes in motor vehicle crashes," AAA President and CEO Peter Kissinger.

Safe and defensive driving habits can help drivers to reduce their risks of car accidents in Illinois and reduce the risks of being hindered by the irresponsibility of unlicensed and uninsured motorists.

To decrease your risks of an accident, AAA is asking drivers to "Make the Resolution to be a Safe Driver." In 2012, drivers are asked to stay sober behind the wheel, to curb the distractions, to abide by all posted speed limits, to rest up before jumping behind the wheel and to always wear a seat belt. These few safety tips are simple ways to help you to stay safe on our roadways and potentially avoid an accident with an uninsured motorist.

Chicago accident lawyer reaches $45,000 settlement

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:44:58 -0600

Illinois car crash attorney Katie Manifold, an associate attorney at Abels & Annes, has resolved an uninsured motorist claim on behalf of an Orland Park resident. This claim stems from an accident that occurred on January 11, 2010 at the intersection of 26 Street and King Drive in Chicago Illinois. At the time of the accident, our client was driving southbound on King Drive crossing 26th Street with a solid green light. At that same time an uninsured driver was moving westbound across the intersection, ran a red light, and struck the client's vehicle.

After the collision, the accident was investigated by the Chicago Police Department. At that time the at fault driver admitted to the investigating officer that she ran a red light. An independent witness at the scene also stated that the uninsured driver failed to stop at the traffic light.

Immediately after the accident the plaintiff started having back and neck pain, and left knee pain. Due to his complaints, he was taken by a Chicago Fire Department Ambulance to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.

At the emergency room, he was examined by physicians and X-rays were taken which were negative for fractures. He was given a prescription for diazepam and ibuprofen.

Due to ongoing knee pain, he returned to the ER the next evening. At that time further x-rays were taken of his left knee. They were also negative for fracture.

The knee pain became more severe over the next 48 hours. On January 14, 2010 he went for additional treatment at a doctor's office. There he was examined by a physician who gave an assessment of sprains and strains of the knee and leg, low back pain, and knee pain. The doctor noted swelling of his left knee and ordered an MRI. He also referred the claimant for physical therapy and ordered hime off work until released from therapy.

An MRI without contrast of his left knee was taken on January 19, 2010. The scan showed a small joint effusion in the knee.

The plaintiff was next seen by his doctor on January 22. At that time he had prominent pain and cervical spine and lumbar spine. The pain was radiating to the next, upper arms, and legs. He reported that pain is being constant. He also again complained of left knee pain. The physician noted he had increased muscle spasm with pain upon palpitation. Physical therapy was again recommended.

The client treated again on February 4, 2010. In addition to his previous complaints, he was now suffering from headaches. He was ordered to continue physical therapy.

On March 16, 2010 he complained to the physician of low back pain was constant and moderate intensity, and also cause stiffness. Further, his knee pain was worse since his last visit. Associated symptoms included pain with stairs, and locking and popping. He was again ordered to continue with physical therapy.

On May 11, 2010, he was seen again. At that time his back pain was intermittent and mild in severity. He noted some pain relief with physical therapy.

On June 4, 2010 doctor notes revealed he was having constant and moderate low back pain. The physician described the pain is chronic but intermittent with acute exasperation.

The claimant went to 20 physical therapy appointments starting on January 27, 2010 and ending on April 27, 2010. The treatment consisted of electric stimulation, heat and cold treatment, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, neuromuscular reeducation and ultrasound therapy.

The plaintiff incurred just over $9,000 in medical bills due to the accident. The case settled for $45,000 and Motorist Mutual Insurance paid on the uninsured motorist claim.

Wicked Winter Weather Increasing Risks for Car Accidents in Chicago

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:17:03 -0600

Residents are urged to dress warmly at to be careful on our roadways over the next few days. The Chicago Sun-Times and other outlets are reporting bad weather in the forecast. Combine that with Friday the 13th, and all bets are off.

Drivers should stay calm on the roadway and avoid braking suddenly as we can expect as much as eight inches of snow in the next few days. It's expected to start Thursday morning and continue on through the evening, leaving some scary road conditions to great motorists on Friday the 13th. Superstitious or not, drivers are asked to be extremely cautious to help to avoid a weather-related car accident in Chicago.

“It’s going to be a shock to the system,” said Ed Fenelon of the National Weather Service. “We’ve been experiencing weather typical of November or March. This is now going to be a punch of January weather.”

Our Chicago car accident lawyers understand that wind gusts are expected to reach 35 miles per hour during this cold weather snap. The cold weather is also expected to remain in town through the weekend, with temps staying in the single digits.

To help you to stay safe in this winter weather, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and safercar.gov are teaming up to provide drivers with some simple safe driving tips.

Safe Winter Driving Tips:

-Check your windshield washer reservoir. Make sure that it's filled with high-quality, "no-freeze" wiper fluid.

-Make sure that your vehicle's windshield wipers are working properly and aren't worn.

-Make sure that the air pressure in your tires is properly filled.

-Check the weather, traffic and road conditions in Chicago before getting into the car and departing.

-If road conditions are dangerous and you don't feel comfortable behind the wheel, pull over and wait it out.

-Keep your gas tank at least half filled. You never know when you're going to get stuck in dangerous weather or in a traffic jam.

-Know where you're headed before you leave to avoid messing with GPS devices or road maps.

-If your vehicle breaks down, stay with your car and don't overexert yourself.

-If broken down, tie a bright colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle to help passing motorists and emergency responders see you.

-Never rush. Leave with plenty of time to spare.

-Always travel with a charged cell phone.

-In dangerous weather and road conditions, your full attention is required. Curb all distractions and keep your eyes and your mind on the road and your hands on the wheel.

Be extra careful during this expected weather, especially on Friday the 13th. The fear of this day is called "friggatriskaidekaphobia," which means the fear of the number 13. One theory of the haunted day says that it's a modern amalgamation of two older superstitions. One being that thirteen is an unlucky number and the other being that Friday is an unlucky day.

Be careful on our roadways, be careful through the snow and be careful on Friday the 13th!

New Year's Resolutions: Reducing Risks of Bicycling Accidents in Chicago

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:27:43 -0600

We've recently been discussing the importance of safe driving habits. As we say goodbye to 2011, its time to say hello to 2012. Our Chicago accident attorneys have been asking residents to make safe driving habits a part of their New Year's resolutions. We've discussed distracted driving dangers, drunk driving dangers, the dangers of speeding, the dangers faced by pedestrians and now we'll be discussing the importance of bicycle safety awareness. We're not the only ones focusing on bicyclists' safety either. The Chicago Bike Program is promoting its Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 as we start the new year. This plan is to identify up to 250 miles of bicycle facilities that will encourage all Chicagoans to ride their bicycles to get around our beautiful city.

The Chicago Bike Program has divided the city into nine areas and will be looking over each of these areas to examine the current biking conditions of each. Through this examination, biking officials will be identifying destinations, barriers, gaps in existing bikeways and assets. Officials are asking for your input too. If you would like to contribute any ideas or suggestions on how to make these areas safer for cyclists, please email the organization.

Unfortunately, bicycling accidents in Chicago are still an all too common occurrence. According to My Fox Chicago, there were five bicyclists killed and nearly 2,000 bicyclists injured in 2008. The number of fatal accidents is an increase from the previous year, serving as evidence of much-needed bicycling path renovations.

To help make our roadways safer for bicyclists, transportation officials have constructed the Kinzie Street protected bike lane and are working on the Jackson Boulevard protected bike lane, the 18th Street protected bike lane and the Elston Avenue protected bike lane. Even with the construction of safer bike lanes, bicyclists are asked to practice the following safety tips to help ensure a smooth and accident-free bike ride.

Safety Tips for Chicago Bicyclists, from Safety In Motion:

-It's against the law to ride a bicycle on Lake Shore Drive.

-It's against the law to ride the wrong way on a one-way street, against traffic on a two-way street and on expressways.

-If you break a traffic law, an officer can stop you and can issue you a traffic ticket. Most bicycling traffic tickets come with a $25 fine.

-Although drivers of vehicles are required by law to give bicyclists the right-of-way it doesn't always mean that they will. Be on the lookout for passing vehicles at all times.

We ask all bicyclists and motorists to be cautious of one another when traveling through the city. With consideration for one another, we can help to make our roadways safer for everyone. Make your New Year's resolution to be a better traveler in 2012!

Icy Roadways Cause More than a Dozen Illinois Car Accidents in Geneva

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:10:35 -0600

There were at least a dozen car accidents in Geneva on December 29th. Why so many? Most would blame the slippery conditions of the icy roadways. Others would say that it's the driver's faults because they didn't adjust to the weather conditions. On that same day, the commuter train collided with a vehicle at the tracks in West Chicago on Route 38. If you remember, this was also the same day that Geneva officers sent out the Nixle e-blast to warn drivers to be careful on our roadways because of the ice and snow, according to the Geneva Patch.

Our Illinois car accident attorneys understand that there are probably even more car accidents that happened during this time. Accident reports are expected to trickle in after the fact. As we enter winter season in earnest, drivers are urged to use extra caution on the roads. Roadways can get slippery and fatal accidents can result if we're not careful. Start off the New Year with a resolution to be a better driver!

Accident on East Fabyan Parkway:

This head-on collision happened just before 5:30 a.m. near Route 25 when one of the vehicles lost control on an icy bridge, hit the rail and spun out. In an attempt to avoid an accident with the first car, a second car started to slide on the icy roadways and also struck the rail of the bridge. The accident resulted in nearly $2,000 in damage to the vehicles. One driver was transported to Delnor Hospital with injuries.

Accident near Chalmers on Route 25:

This accident happened when a Mustang crashed into a guard rail on the overpass for the Union Pacific Railroad bridge. Reports indicate that the driver lost control of his vehicle because of the ice on the road. Nearly $2,000 in damage was done to the vehicle in the accident.

Accident on South Third Street:

This accident happened just after 10:00 a.m. when a vehicle rear ended another vehicle on the 500 block of South Third Street. There was nearly $2,000 in damage done to one of the vehicles involved in the accident. One driver received a traffic citation for improper backing.

Accident on Randall Road:

A pickup truck collided with another vehicle just after 5:30 a.m. on South Randall Road close to Kaneville Road. One of the drivers was issued a traffic citation for driving too fast for current weather and road conditions.

Other December 29th car accidents in Geneva:

-Accident near Route 25 on East Fabyan Parkway just before 5:00 a.m.

-Car accident on East State Street just before 5:30 a.m.

-Car accident on Fabyan Parkway Bridge at roughly 5:30 a.m.

-Three-car accident on Fabyan Parkway at 5:30 a.m.

-Car collision on South Second Street around 10:40 a.m.

-Single-car accident near Kautz Road on Geneva Drive shortly after 1:10 p.m.

-Car accident on East State Street just before 1:45 p.m.

-Two-car accident on Crissey just before 7:00 a.m.

New Year's Resolutions: Curb Distractions to Reduce Risks of Chicago Car Accidents

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:53:51 -0600

Our Chicago car accident attorneys recently announced that we were launching a new 6-blog series to discuss the dangers we most commonly face on our roadways. Along with the discussion of these dangers, we're asking all residents to stand up against dangerous roadways and to make a New Year's resolution to be a better and a safer driver.

According to the Daily Herald, John Cuneo from Chicago recently won a regional Emmy award for a public service announcement (PSA) that he and a colleague shot at the DuPage County morgue. The PSA received an award from the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The PSA was used to help educate drivers about the dangers of driving while distracted and to illustrate the risks for car accidents in Chicago that accompany this dangerous behavior. The PSA will now be aired nationwide.

“If you drive down any road and just watch people — the percentage of drivers looking at their phones is very high,” McHenry County Sheriff's Sgt. Karen Groves said.

Recently, reporters of the Daily Herald reviewed traffic citations for distracted driving in Wheaton, Villa Park, Schaumburg, Rosemont, Palatine, Naperville, Mundelein, Lombard, Lake Zurich, Lake in the Hills, Itasca, Grayslake, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Geneva, Elgin, Carol Stream, Bensenville, Bartlett, Arlington Heights, Algonquin and Addison. Nearly 310 citations were issued for violating the electronic use law, which prohibits text messaging and the use of other electronic communication devices for drivers. These citations accounted for less than 1 percent of all citations issued. Nearly 600 citations were issued to drivers who were busted using a cell phone while driving through a construction or a school zone. These citations accounted for less than 1.5 percent of all traffic citations.

Our state's distracted driving law comes with some good intentions, but it is tough for law enforcement officers to enforce. The law contains numerous loopholes, meaning that distraction-related car accidents continue to injure and kill far too many motorists on our roadways.

The Daily Herald looked over more than 40,000 traffic citations to determine these statistics. It's clear that distraction-related offenses are not a top priority for most. For this reason, we ask that all drivers take the personal responsibility to curb the distractions. Personal responsibility may be our best defense against dangerous roadways.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were just a little more than 3,000 fatalities that occurred in 2010 because of distraction-related car accidents. While this new statistic proves a decrease in the number of fatalities from these types of accidents, we're still seeing far too many of these preventable accidents. Drivers are still asked to take the responsibility to put away the distractions while operating a motor vehicle.

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and ask you to make the New Year's resolution to be a better driver by putting away the distractions behind the wheel. Only aware and alert drivers can help to prevent potentially fatal distraction-related accidents on our roadways.

New Year's Resolutions: Reducing Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:54:47 -0600

We can all say goodbye to 2011 and hello to a fresh start. With the New Year come resolutions to make our lives better. Some may have made resolutions to lose weight, to quit smoking or to pursue new business ventures, but we're asking all residents to make New Year's resolution to be a better driver. By making this type of resolution, we can all make an effort to reduce the number of car accidents in Chicago. And to keep family and loved ones safer.

Being a better drive can consist of many different things. Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that being a better driver can mean to pledge to curb distractions, to stay sober at the wheel, to slow down and quit speeding, to be more alert at intersections or even to stay more aware of bicyclists and pedestrians. Whichever most applies to you, we ask everyone to embrace these resolutions and to be more cautious behind the wheel. Safer roadways start with you! This is the start of a new blog series discussing the ways we can all pledge to stay safe at the wheel and to prevent a serious accidents. Happy 2012!

As we start off the New Year and make a conscious effort to be safer behind the wheel, we would like to remind drivers that road conditions can contribute to some serious accidents. According to the Chicago Tribune, icy roadways in the city caused a number of accidents and spinouts. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) was quick on the scene to lay down salt to help drivers keep traction. The ice came with this winter's coldest snap so far.

The first week of 2012 calls for temperatures in the 20s and teen temps in the evening. Winds are expected to gust to 40 miles per hour.

IDOT reports that there were icy and slick roadways along the Bishop Ford Freeway, Eisenhower Expressways and on the Stevenson. There were a number on spinouts and accidents reported on the Dan Ryan and on the Stevenson.

In the early evening, Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation let more than 130 snow-fighting trucks loose to take care of the main arterials and Lake Shore Drive. This area was the site of a 10-car accident that ended up blocking the southbound lanes at Randolph Street.

As the winter weather continues, drivers are asked to remain cautious while driving on snowy and icy roadways. This is the first of a blog series where we will be discussing some New Year's resolutions that you and your family can make to help prevent fatal car accidents. You can start by adjusting your driving to accommodate the current weather conditions. We will also be discussing the dangers of driving while distracted, driving drunk, speeding while driving, remaining cautious at intersections and how to help keep our local bicyclists and pedestrians safe, too. We hope you have a safe and happy 2012 and consider making one of your New Year's resolutions to be a better driver and to make our roadways safer for everyone.