Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Chicago car accident lawyer representing North Side mother and daughters

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:15 -0600

Car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes are working on a case for a Chicago woman and her two teenage daughters who were injured by a negligent motorist. The collision occurred back on September 11, 2011 around noon.

The plaintiff and her daughters were driving westbound on Ridge in Chicago, approaching its intersection with Clark Street in a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Traffic came to a stop and she brought her vehicle to a stop in traffic just before the intersection. The defendant was also driving westbound on Ridge, approaching Clark. He then failed to slow and/or stop his 1996 Chevy Geo and rear-ended the Hyundai. The force of the Chicago car accident threw her back and forth in her seat.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the collision and determined the defendant was at fault and issued him a citation for driving too fast for conditions. Car accident lawyers at our office are alleging the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or reduce his speed to avoid a collision, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiffs.

Following the collision, our clients had an immediate onset of pain. Shortly after the collision, the mother sought treatment at St. Francis Hospital’s Emergency Department. Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, a history was taken, she was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed. She complained of neck pain, back pain, and pain near her left scapula. On exam, she had paravertebral tenderness in her neck and lower back. She was diagnosed with muscular pain, neck spasms, and back spasms, prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxants, and instructed to seek follow up care.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, she sought follow up treatment with a medical doctor on September 13, 2011. At that time, the plaintiff complained of headaches and lightheadedness in addition to her constant neck and low back pain. Her pain was made worse with sitting or standing for a long period of time, which she was required to do for work. The physician took a history and examined her. On exam, she had pain along the paracervical muscles with limited range of motion as well as pain and muscles spasms of the paraspinal muscles in her lower back. The orthopedic diagnosed the plaintiff with a sprain and strain of the cervical and lumbar spines. He ordered x-rays of her neck and back, instructed her to begin a course of physical therapy, and instructed her to follow up after her x-rays.

Settlement reached by Illinois auto accident attorney

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:00:54 -0600

A Chicago personal injury lawyer at Abels & Annes has resolved a claim stemming from a June, 2011 car crash. The plaintiff was driving to work just after 8 AM and was traveling southwest on Ogden Avenue approaching Oak Park Avenue in Berwyn, Illinois. The defendant was driving northeast on Ogden Avenue approaching Oak Park Avenue.

Our client had a green light at the intersection of Ogden and Oak Park and proceeded to drive her 2005 Chrysler PT cruiser straight. The at fault driver attempted to make a left turn in his Toyota Corolla onto northbound Oak Park without yielding the right-of-way to the Chrysler. The defendant turned left and struck the plaintiff in a head-on collision. The force of the impact pushed the PT cruiser across a lane of traffic and towards the shoulder of Ogden Avenue.

The Berwyn Police Department responded to the scene of the Illinois auto collision and determined the Toyota driver caused the accident. He received a citation for failure to yield the right-of-way at an intersection while turning left and later pleaded guilty to that charge and court.

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

On exam, she had pain and tenderness to her chest wall and paraspinal muscles in her back. She was diagnosed with neck strain and back strain, prescribed muscle relaxants and pain medication, instructed to follow up with a physician, and discharged.

She followed up with a medical doctor on July 1, 2011. She complained of pain in her back, neck, chest and head as well as soreness all over. She struggled with daily activities, including grooming, showering, household cleaning and recreational activities. Her physician diagnosed her with cervical spine sprain/strain and multiple contusions. He prescribed a course of physical therapy and instructed her to follow up in two weeks.

Per physician instructions, the plaintiff engaged in a course of physical therapy at AthletiCo Physical Therapy beginning on July 7, 2011. She had pain throughout her daily activities and was limited in her actions. As a pharmacist, our client had difficulty at work because her pain interfered with her ability to do her job. She liked to run and exercise before the collision and could not do so as a result of her injuries. She engaged in several sessions of physical therapy and was discharged on September 30, 2011.

Our client returned to her doctor on July 15, 2011. She continued to complain of pain to her neck, back, chest and head and noted that she was very stiff and achy. She was engaged in the prescribed therapy but was obtaining minimal relief. Her physician instructed her to continue physical therapy and to follow up in two weeks.

Chicago school bus accident lawyer set to file a lawsuit

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:52:50 -0600

Illinois car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes are heading to court for a teenage client who was hurt in a school bus accident. The automobile vs. school bus collision took place in the area of Oakwood Avenue and 197th Street in Lynwood, Illinois, in December of 2010 at approximately 6:43 a.m. Our client was injured when the school bus she was a passenger in was T-boned by a 2001 Ford escape.

The school bus was traveling eastbound on 197th Street approaching its intersection with Oakwood Avenue. The school bus stopped for a stop sign at the intersection and then, when it had the right of way, the school bus proceeded to make a left turn onto Oakwood Avenue. At that same time, the defendant was driving southbound on Oakwood Avenue approaching its intersection with 197th Street.

When the Ford reached the intersection, he failed to stop and/or yield the right of way, and proceeded through the intersection, striking the school bus in which our client was a passenger. The front-end of the Escape struck the front driver’s side of the school bus.

The Lynwood Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. After speaking to all the parties involved in the collision, the investigating officer placed the Ford driver at fault for the collision. The investigating officer noted that the students on the school bus confirmed the defendant’s failure to stop at the stop sign and/or yield the right of way to the school bus.

We have argued to the defendant's insurance carrier that he failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop for a stop sign, failed to yield the right of way, failed to stop and/or reduce his speed to avoid a collision, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area.

The defendant's insurance carrier is denying the claim because the defendant is claiming the bus cut over into his lane while making the turn and hit him. The problem with this argument is there is a bus full of kids saying otherwise. Essentially, the defendant has decided to waste everyone's time with a lawsuit he won't win. I would expect that after a period of litigation, the defense lawyers will tell the insurance carrier to be realistic and try to settle the case.

Following the collision, the teenager had an immediate onset of back pain and headaches.

That same day, she was seen at the Ingalls Memorial Hospital Emergency Department. There, she complained of back pain and headaches. A history was taken, she was examined and diagnostic tests were performed, including a CT of her head and x-rays of her lumbar spine. A physical exam revealed paraspinal tenderness of the lower and mid back. She was initially diagnosed with a closed head injury, paraspinal contusion/abrasion, and low back pain. She was prescribed pain medication, instructed to follow up with her primary care physician, and discharged.

Chicago premises liability lawyer moving ahead with injury case

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:04:43 -0600

An Illinois trip and fall attorney at Abels & Annes are currently working on a claim for a woman who was injured from an incident that occurred on August 18, 2010. The plaintiff was a resident at a mobile home park in the northern suburbs of Cook County. At that time the park was managed by a woman who ran an office out of one of the trailers at the property.

On the date of the occurrence our client had gone to the manager's office to inquire about a trailer issue. She ascended the steps up to the small deck outside the front door to the office and knocked on the door. When there was no response she began to descend the steps to leave.

Chicago injury lawyers at our office are alleging that as a result of the improper design, construction and maintenance of the steps, as the plaintiff began to walk down the steps she lost her footing on the uneven steps and began to stumble. As she began to stumble she attempted to grab for a handrail to steady herself. Again, due to the improper design, construction and maintenance of the handrail, it was not located where it should have been and she was unable to grab it. As a result she fell, severely injuring herself.

Shortly after the occurrence the steps were inspected by an architect. She found the steps and handrail to be in violation of several sections of the Village Building Code and the 2003 International Residential Code (IRC), which the Village follows.

1. The stair risers were not uniform. Section R311.5.3 of the IRC provides that the maximum riser height shall be 7¾ inches and that the greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than ⅜ inch. The four risers from the bottom to top are measured at 4½”, 7”, 6½” and 3”. The greatest riser height exceeds the smallest by 4”. This is far greater than the allowable maximum of ⅜”, creating a hazard to users.

2. The handrail on the outer side of the steps was far too steep for its intended purpose. Section R311.5.6.1 of the IRC provides that handrail height measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing shall not be less than 34” nor more than 38”. The handrail at issue from the bottom tread to the top landing measured at 16½”, 23”, 30” and 39”. No portion of the rail measures within the 34”-38” requirement, making it impossible to grasp the handrail for guidance or support.

3. The side of the stair adjacent to the trailer was completely open to the ground. Upon inspection it appeared as though a handrail had originally been built but had fallen off at some point in time and never replaced. The size of the opening is 7”, which is wide enough for a person’s foot to fall through. Section R311.5.6.2 provides that handrails for stairways must be continuous for the full length of the flight of stairs. An appropriate handrail should have been installed or reinstalled to allow a person to grasp it for support. Additionally, the existing handrail on the outside stops 4¼” short of the bottom tread’s nosing, leaving the end of the stair unprotected. This leaves a user descending the steps without support near the bottom in the event of a fall.

These violations created an extremely hazardous and unsafe environment for users of the steps.

Our client had an immediate onset of severe right leg and ankle pain. There was an obvious deformity in the area of her right ankle. She was transported by ambulance from the scene to Glenbrook Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Upon arrival at the Emergency Department a history was taken, she was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. She complained of severe right leg and ankle pain. Upon visualization there was an obvious deformity to the ankle area. She was administered morphine due to her extreme pain. X-rays revealed fractures of the right medial malleolus and of the right distal fibula, possible fracture of the posterior malleolus and the ankle mortise appeared to be disrupted.

Due to the severity of her ankle fracture it was determined that an open reduction internal fixation surgery needed to be performed immediately. The plaintiff was admitted as an inpatient to the hospital.

Chicago auto accident lawyer helping injured pedestrian

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:40:40 -0600

Illinois pedestrian accident attorneys at our office are in the process of trying to resolve a case for a woman that was struck by a car crossing the street in a crosswalk. The claim arises out of an automobile vs. pedestrian collision which took place on September 18, 2011 at approximately 5:10 p.m. in Chicago.

The pedestrian was crossing Belmont Avenue at its intersection with Seminary. The defendant was driving westbound on Belmont, approaching Seminary. Traffic was at a stop and our client began to cross in a marked pedestrian crosswalk.

The motorist then attempted to pass a stopped vehicle even though her vision of the crosswalk was obstructed by the stopped traffic. The driver struck our client while she was within the crosswalk. The passenger side of her vehicle struck the pedestrian's ribs and leg while the tire of the vehicle ran over her foot.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. The responding officer determined the defendant was at fault for the collision and issued him a ticket for failing to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian.

We are alleging to the at-fault driver's auto carrier, Geico Insurance, that she failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or reduce his speed to avoid a collision, failed to yield the right-of-way, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area.

Immediately following the accident, the injured pedestrian sought medical treatment at Illinois Masonic Hospital’s Emergency Department. Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, a history was taken, she was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed, including x-rays of her chest, knee, and foot. She complained of pain in her ribs, left foot, and left leg and knee. On exam, she had pain on palpation of her left chest. She was diagnosed with bruised ribs, a left foot contusion and a left knee contusion. She was prescribed pain medication, instructed to follow up with a physician, and discharged.

She sought follow up medical treatment from a doctor on September 26, 2011. At that time, she continued to complain of severe rib pain and lower back pain. A history was taken and a physical exam was performed. Her physician ordered her to undergo an ultrasound of her spleen and referred her to physical therapy for her lower back pain.

She again followed up at the doctor's on October 7, 2011. She experienced severe, sharp rib pain that morning and continued to experience the pain with deep breathing. X-rays of her chest were ordered to rule out a possible rib fracture. The x-rays were normal.

The client has not yet returned for additional treatment, but continues to have ongoing discomfort due to the negligence of the defendant. It is likely she will need additional treatment in the near future.

Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer working on deadly left turn case

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:21:07 -0600

Illinois motorcycle crash attorneys at Abels & Annes are currently representing the family of an accident victim who was tragically killed in a September, 2011 collision.

The motorcyclist, a wife and mother of two small children, was driving her bike eastbound on Montrose approaching its intersection with Kostner in Chicago, Illinois. At that time the defendant was driving a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on Montrose approaching its intersection with Kostner. There was plenty of light, the road was straight and flat and visibility was good. The driver intended to make a left hand turn at the intersection to proceed southbound on Kostner. Both vehicles entered the intersection on a green light and the defendant proceeded to make a left turn into the motorcyclist's lane of travel when it was not safe to do so.

After the crash, the at fault driver told the investigating Chicago police officers that he did not see a motorcycle rider until the last moment prior to the collision. The driver of the Jeep was issued traffic citations for failing to yield when making a left turn and for failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

Police interviewed an independent witness who was eastbound on Montrose waiting to make a left turn to go northbound on Kostner. He saw the defendant approaching westbound and initiated a left turn without yielding to oncoming traffic. He stated the driver of the Jeep started his left turn before reaching the actual intersection. To his right the witness saw a motorcycle pass by traveling with the flow of traffic and not speeding. He then observed the motorcyclist have to lay the bike down in an attempt to avoid the collision and strike the passenger side of the left turning SUV.

The defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, failed to reduce speed to avoid a collision, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the plaintiff. Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the occurrence at issue, it is clear that the sole proximate cause of the collision was the negligent conduct of the SUV driver.

Following the crash it was obvious that the motorcyclist had suffered severe, life threatening injuries. She was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center's Emergency Department. While extraordinary efforts were made to save her life, they were ultimately unsuccessful. She had suffered severe head injuries, a severed spine, a lacerated liver and other injuries. She was pronounced dead later that day.

A postmortem examination was performed shortly after the accident. The medical examiner found that the victim had died as a result of multiple injuries suffered in the collision at issue.

This case demonstrates the importance of following the rules of the road and paying attention while you drive. Here, the simple act of a left turn had tragic consequences. In my experience as a Chicago accident lawyer, too often drivers keep a proper lookout for other automobiles, but then fail to care for the safety of more vulnerable users of the roadway, such as motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Auto accident lawyer representing Chicago woman on uninsured claim

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:13:57 -0600

Illinois injury lawyers at Abels & Annes are hard at work on a car crash claim for a local resident. The case arises out of a collision which took place on August 23, 2011 at approximately 9:07 a.m. The plaintiff was injured when the automobile she was riding in was involved in a collision with an uninsured motor vehicle.

Our client was driving her 2008 Scion westbound on Ferdinand, approaching its intersection with Pulaski in Chicago, Illinois. At that time a driver in a 1997 Buick LeSabre was being pursued by police officers at a high rate of speed. The uninsured driver was traveling northbound on Pulaski and turned abruptly eastbound on Ferdinand. The Buick crossed the center line and hit the client head-on at a very high speed.

Our client was thrown backward and forward in her seat and hit her face on the airbag. The entire incident was witnessed by a Chicago Police Officer who was responding to the high-speed chase. The responding officer determined the uninsured driver caused the collision by operating her vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, negligent or aggressive condition.

The uninsured driver failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or reduce her speed to avoid a collision, traveled eastbound in a lane marked only for westbound traffic, drove in an erratic and reckless manner, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the plaintiff.

This accident is just another example of why it is so important to carry auto insurance with uninsured motorist coverage. There is an ongoing and alarming trend of motorists in Illinois driving without insurance. We see more and more of these accidents at our office.

Following the collision, the client had an immediate onset of pain. She was transported from the scene of the collision by ambulance to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, a history was taken, she was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed. She complained of a severe headache and pain to her right wrist. On exam, she had a burn to her right forearm and a head injury. She underwent a head CT scan which revealed no acute intracranial abnormalities. She was prescribed pain medication and instructed to seek follow up treatment from a doctor.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, the plaintiff sought follow up treatment with a medical doctor on September 1, 2011. At that time, she complained of constant, sharp pain along her neck as well as sharp lumbar pain that radiated to both of her legs. She has lupus and had some difficulty walking before the collision but the pain in her lower back made walking significantly more difficult, and at times, impossible without the assistance of a cane or walker. A history was taken and she was examined. She had pain in her paracervical muscles in her neck as well as lower back and muscle spasms. The physician diagnosed her with a sprain and strain of the cervical and lumbar spines. He ordered x-rays of her cervical and lumbar spines and instructed her to begin a course of physical therapy.

Chicago work injury lawyer keeps on settling cases

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:27:24 -0600

Illinois work comp attorney Nicole Sommerfeld has had a busy year so far, making some of her clients very happy.

In one workers' compensation case, she obtained over $46,000 for a Chicago public school teacher who was hurt when she slipped and fell on ice in a teacher parking lot. The accident occurred in February, 2011, and the claimant injured her right knee when she fell. At first she tried to ice her knee at home, but she soon realized she was having significant pain that would not be going away on its own.

Shortly after the accident she started medical treatment at Hinsdale Orthopedics. Diagnostic testing showed she sustained a torn meniscus. She had to have right knee reconstructive surgery to repair the tear.

After a period of recovery, she started physical therapy which lasted several months. She was released from her doctor's care around 10 months later when she reached maximum medical improvement.

In addition to the $46,000 settlement, our office recovered approximately an additional $25,800 in lost wages for client, representing 30 weeks that she was off work due to the accident. Further, her medical bills were paid.

In another case our office recovered just over $44,000 for a CTA bus driver who developed carpal tunnel in both of her wrists due to repetitive motion on the job. Because of her condition, she eventually underwent bilateral wrist carpal tunnel releases at Rush University Medical Center in 2010.

The CTA employee's pain started in early 2009. She recalled one time when the power steering failed on her bus. The vehicle was drivable but it was very difficult to make turns and involved a lot of force in her hand and in her grip. She developed a shooting pain in her right wrist that went up to her elbow, and her entire hand felt numb. At first she tried to take ibuprofen which did not help.

She then started treating with an orthopedic physician at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush Hospital in March, 2009. At that time she complained of bilateral hand and wrist tingling.

In April, 2009 she saw her doctor again and her symptoms had gotten worse. She was given a splint to wear at night to help her sleep. The physician continued to keep her off work, as she could not do any type of repetitive motion or drive her bus. She was unable to lift anything above 5 pounds.

She was given an EMG on her right side at the end of April. It noted borderline abnormal right focal median motor neuropathy with no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or brachial plexopathy. She was still having pain in both hands. She underwent a right wrist carpal tunnel injection at that time. She was diagnosed that month with bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

Chicago auto accident attorney takes on uninsured motorist claim

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:29:14 -0600

Illinois car crash lawyers at Abels & Annes are currently representing a Dolton, Illinois resident who was injured in an accident.

This claim arises out of an automobile collision which took place at or near the intersection of Lincoln and Dorchester in Dolton on August 11, 2011, at approximately 3:51 p.m. The plaintiff was riding as a passenger in a 2005 Toyota Sequoia being driven by an acquaintance. He was injured when the automobile he was a passenger in was side-swiped by a vehicle driven by an uninsured motorist.

The Toyota was moving northwest on Lincoln near its intersection with Dorchester. The vehicle stopped in the left-most lane, signaling a left turn into US Bank. At this location, left turns are permitted and there is no separate left turn lane for turning into the bank.

At that same time, another vehicle, in 1999 Ford Explorer, was traveling northwest on Lincoln near its intersection with Dorchester. That vehicle disregarded the turning vehicle and passed the vehicle on the left. The other driver drove northwest in a lane designated for southeast traffic only. As the Ford Explorer passed by driving on the wrong side of the road, the other driver struck the driver’s side of the Toyota with the passenger side of her car.

The force of the collision threw our client back and forth inside the car. His right shoulder struck the passenger door and his left wrist struck the center console.

The other driver failed to keep a proper lookout, improperly used lanes of traffic, improperly passed on the left, failed to yield the right of way, failed to stop and/or reduce the speed of her vehicle to avoid a collision, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the plaintiff.

The accident was investigated by the Dolton Police Department. After interviewing the parties involved, they determined that the Ford driver was at fault.

Unfortunately, the driver of the Ford Explorer was operating a vehicle without valid auto insurance. Due to this fact, our office is pursuing an uninsured motorist claim against the Toyota owner's insurance policy. Click here to read more about Illinois uninsured motorist claims.

Following the collision, the plaintiff had an immediate onset of back, shoulder and wrist pain.

Shortly after the collision, the client sought medical treatment at a doctor's office. There, he complained of right shoulder pain and lower back pain. A history was taken and a physical examination was performed. On exam, he had pain on palpation of his lower back, pain in his right shoulder and decreased range of motion in his shoulder. He was diagnosed with a low back sprain and a right shoulder injury. He was prescribed muscle relaxants, instructed to take pain medication and told to follow up for additional treatment.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, he returned to the physician on August 23, 2011. At that time he continued to complain of pain in his right shoulder and lower back. He was instructed to continue his medication and to return for follow up care.

Illinois slip and fall lawyers reach $85,000 settlement

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:07:38 -0600

Chicago premises liability attorneys recently reached a good settlement for a client in a tough case.

The incident occurred at a local health club where the plaintiff was playing basketball with friends. He was not a member of the club and was not officially allowed in as a guest. He entered the club with another member without having to sign in and he was not required to sign any waiver before entering the club.

The defendant health club owner owned, occupied and controlled the fitness facility, and therefore had a duty of care to operate and maintain the club in a reasonably safe manner under the circumstances.

While they were playing basketball, someone reported to one of Defendants’ employees that there was water on the basketball court, and that someone should clean it up. However, none of Defendants’ employees responded to this notice by cleaning the basketball floor and the plaintiff was unaware of the condition. Subsequently, our client slipped on the water and fell, fracturing his left leg.

The defendant health club denied that they and/or their employees were notified that there was water on the court.

While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, someone that the plaintiff was playing basketball with was pressured by the health club manager on duty into signing a guest profile with our client's name on it.

The defendants had policies requiring non-members to be screened & forms before entering facility, and further requiring that employees walk non-members through the facility and explain the rules, including a rule that states that non-members are not allowed on the basketball court. None of the policies were followed when dealing with the plaintiff in this case.

Defendants’ policies also require that employees perform a walk-through of the facility at the beginning of every shift, and recommend that employees perform a walk-through every hour. Once again, Defendants violated this policy by failing to monitor the facility’s basketball floor for wetness and other risk hazards, as well as by failing to make towels and other water removal supplies readily available. Moreover, in spite of being notified that there was water on the basketball court floor, Defendants failed to respond.

At the time of the injury, our client experienced excruciating pain in his left leg. He was transported from Defendants’ facility to Northwestern Memorial Hospital by ambulance. The paramedics found him lying prone on the floor of the basketball court with visual deformity to his left leg and hip. They noted that his breathing was labored, that his injury was painful and distracting, and that he complained of numbness to his arms, fingers, and face.

At the hospital the plaintiff was hospitalized overnight. He presented with left thigh pain, noticeable deformity of the left femur, and tingling in his fingers. An x-ray of his left femur showed a fracture of the middle third of the femur.

Approximately one month after discharge, the client followed up with a medical doctor, who noted atrophy over the quadriceps. The physician prescribed physical therapy treatment. He had a second follow-up visit with the doctor a few months later. On that visit, the physican noted that ht eplaintiff was back on his crutches and was still experiencing pain and swelling. He prescribed additional physical therapy treatment. The plaintiff received extensive physical therapy treatment, posture re-education, and other treatment at Saint Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center for approximately two months.

Our client also treated with a doctor at Winfield Moody Health Center. That treater performed several tests and regulated the client's medication.

The plaintiff continued to experience some discomfort due to his injuries for many months. Future medical issues and treatment may occur.

City Maps Out Bicycle Accidents in Chicago

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:49:20 -0600

Thought bicycling accidents in Chicago weren't a big deal? Think again! According to Crash Portal, there have been more than 4,930 bicycle accidents reported in the City of Chicago from 2007 to 2009.

And these accidents claimed the lives of a dozen cyclists. The distribution of these accidents throughout the city is pretty even, with a slightly higher concentration of accidents reported in the Loop, which is probably to be expected. With that being said, the obvious exception is Milwaukee Avenue, where drivers are evidently playing human Frogger with cyclists. Cyclists, watch out for those doors!

Our Chicago Personal Lawyer Blog recently reported that our city is trying to increase safety for bicyclists. And we recently noted all of the improvements being made through the Chicago Bicycle Program. Meanwhile, Mayor Emanuel is still working at fulfilling his promise of 100 more miles of safe bike routes to help increase safety for cyclists throughout the city.

In the last year, the city has opened 20 miles of new bike lanes, about 10 miles or newly marked shared lanes, about 2 miles of protected bike lanes, a mile of bike lanes with brand new striping and a mile of newly buffered bicycle lanes. While these improvements are wonderful, they don't mean much without cooperation from motorists. Drivers still need to be aware of their surroundings and of cyclists near and on our roadways. These two-wheeled travelers are extremely vulnerable in the event of an accident with a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, many of these accidents end in death.

Right now, there are nearly 120 miles of on-street bike lanes, over 30 miles of shared marked bike lanes, a number of off-street biking paths, nearly 15,000 bicycle racks and high-capacity, sheltered, bike parking areas at CTA stations around the city. It's no wonder why residents and visitors take advantage of these amenities. Officials in Chicago are working diligently to make this city a mecca for bicyclists.

Bicycle Accident Statistics, (Illinois, 2008), according to My Fox Chicago:

-Nearly 30 bicyclists were killed.

-Nearly 3,390 bicyclists were injured.

-The yearly estimated costs for these kinds of accidents are close to $10 billion.

-The average age of cyclists who were killed was 41-years-old. More than a third of all fatal bicycle accidents occurred to riders between the ages of 35- and 54-years-old.

-About 80 percent of the accident victims were men.

Riders are asked to hit our streets with a plan. Preparation is the best step is helping to prevent an accident. While you're at it, make sure you check out the Chicago Bike Map.

Lastly, remember to stay out of the "Door Zone." This is the 4-foot area alongside a parked car. This is where many cyclists experience "dooring," when a cyclist is injured after running into an unexpected opening car door. When riding in a bike lane, ride on the left side of the lane-at least 4 feet from parked cars.

New Dummy Reducing Risks of Injuries in Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:59:16 -0600

Chicago child injury attorneys at Abels & Annes often handle cases where kids have been hurt in traffic collisions.

A new crash test dummy is hitting the market and it's being used to help keep your child safe in the event of a car accident in Chicago and elsewhere. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the new dummy is being used to test all of the new booster seats and car seats for kids who weigh more than 65 pounds. The new kid dummy represents a 10-year-old child and it is the newest edition to the NHTSA's family of crash test dummies. It's the best and most accurate tool available for testing child seats and for assessing the risk of injury among children who use higher-weight child car seat systems.

"It's good news that manufacturers are making more car seats and boosters than ever before," said the U.S. Department of Transportation's Secretary, Ray LaHood.

Child car seats are always changing to meet consumers' needs. It's more important now more than ever to make sure that safety regulators have the most advanced tools to help them to evaluate just how well these seats are going to work in the event of an accident. The new child dummy really is breakthrough technology for the DOT's crash test program. Officials see this new addition as a giant step forward in helping them to better evaluate the performance of child car seats.

The new dummy was created to help make sure that child seats are meeting the newly updated child car seat requirements. It will also be able to provide brand new information regarding the specific risks for injury using knee and head excursions and even chest acceleration.

According to the final rule that was recently issued by the NHTSA, the new federal car seat standards will include booster seats and kid car seats for children who are more than 65 pounds and less than 80 pounds. The new standard will also be used to test how well these new kid car seats will deal with collision energy and whether or not the seat's structure will stay intact when the dummy is used.

Car seat manufacturers will be allowed 24 months to certify their higher-weight car and booster seat to meet the new requirements.

Even though the new dummy is a huge step in the journey to better child protection in the event of an accident, David Strickland of the NHTSA says that the Administration is already trying to take the next step it can take to better protect these young passengers.

Remember that none of these tests and none of these newly designed seats will help you to protect your child in the event of an accident if they're not used correctly. Buckle up your little passenger during every car ride!

Expressway Six-Car Accident in Chicago Kills 2, Injures 3

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 07:08:44 -0600

A recent six-car accident in Chicago killed two people and injured three others, according to WLS 890AM. The accident happened on Dan Ryan Expressway near West 47th Street at about 11:15 a.m. Illinois State Police report that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in this accident.

Involved in the accident were two cars, a tour bus with nine passengers, two semis and a minivan, according to ISP Master Sgt. Joseph Stangl. Accident reports state that the chain-reaction accident started when the tour bus hit a semi, which then jack-knifed, straightened out and drove away. To avoid a collision with the tour bus, a passenger car swerved out of the way but was then hit by another semi. That car swerved the other way and then slammed into a concrete median. Lastly, a minivan slid sideways into the second semi. Names have not been released because charges are still pending.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that a 62- and a 57-year-old were killed in this accident. Also injured in the accident were two 57-year-olds and a 21-year-old. The accident was so severe that officials had to close down the southbound lanes for roughly five hours. Unfortunately, many accidents that occur on our state's expressway produce catastrophic results like this one, because of the speed of traveling vehicles.

This is a perfect example as to why driving on interstates, highways and on expressways can be so dangerous. One wrong move from a driver can cause a chain reaction of accidents. Drivers and road hazards can set off these types of accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that thousands are killed in highway accidents in the U.S. every year. Because traffic is traveling at such high speeds on these roadways, accidents can be severe. Luckily, there are a few safety tips that we can all practice to help increase roadway safety on these busy streets.

Safe Driving Tips:

-Always maintain a safe following distance. You never want to tailgate or follow too closely. This only reduces your reaction time and increases your risks for an accident. Experts suggest the 3 second rule.

-Always keep an eye on what's going on in front of you. Knowing what you're approaching can help you to react better and more quickly.

-Always follow the posted speed limit. When you exceed the speed limit, you're decreasing your reaction time. Speeding also increases your stopping time and distance.

-Know what's going on in your blind spots. Whenever you're changing lanes, make sure you physically look to see what is in your blind spots. Mirrors overlook these areas. Just turn your head back for a second and check.

-Always use your blinkers. Let other drivers know your intended maneuvers. Predictability is critical in reducing risks for an accident.

CDOT Still Working to Achieve Goals to Reduce Risks of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:57:44 -0600

Even in the middle of winter, Chicago accident attorneys at Abels & Annes receive phone calls about collisions involving bicyclists. More and more area residents are riding bicycles, and motorists often fail to keep a proper lookout for them. Just this morning I was behind a vehicle in traffic that changed lanes without looking, cutting off the path of the bicyclist. If not for a quick turn by the bike rider, there could have been a serious collision.

The City of Chicago continues to try to prevent these accidents. In a recent announcement, the Chicago Department of Transportation notified residents that the Chicago Bicycle Program installed and painted new stripes on nearly 40 miles of on-street bicycle facilities in the city in 2011. This is a giant victory for the city, and for bicyclists, considering only about 10 miles of lanes were completed in 2010.

The Chicago Bike Program continues to work diligently to make our city safer for bicyclists and to reduce the risks of bicycle accidents in Chicago. If you remember, Mayor Emanuel made a promise as he took office to complete 100 miles of safe bike routes to help increase safety in Chicago. He's still carrying out that plan and bicyclists across the city thank him!

“Mayor Emanuel’s commitment to making Chicago a pioneer in bikeway design and implementation has fueled these remarkable achievements,” said Commissioner Gabe Klein Chicago Department of Transportation.

We also have to recognize that the fight against these types of accidents is far from over. But the City does seem to be making progress. In 2011, CDOT was able complete installation and restriping of more about 40 miles of on-street bicycle areas through more than 50 different safety projects in more than 30 wards in the city. Now that we're in 2012, the city is striving for even bigger accomplishments.

Chicago Bicycling Safety Achievements in 2011:

-More than 15 miles of brand new bicycle lanes.

-Nearly 10 miles of restriping.

-Nearly 10 miles of newly-marked shared lanes.

-About 2 miles of protected bicycle lanes.

-A new mile of buffered bicycle lanes.

-One mile of restriped shared bicycle lanes.

There were a lot of firsts for the Bike Program in 2011, too. These firsts included the first bicycle-friendly intersection designs, the first bike boxes, the first buffered bicycle lane and the first protected bicycle lane. The Department was also able to install the city's very first on-street bicycle parking corral. This is the corral in Wicker Park.

Some of the most important achievements in 2011 included the completion of Kinzie Street, 18th Street and Jackson Boulevard bikeway infrastructure projects.

On the Kinzie Street infrastructure, bicycle riding has increased because riders reportedly feel safer along this roadway now. What counts as a double win is the fact that this new design hasn't hindered vehicular travel.

Mayor Emanuel is still committed to fulfilling his promise of installing 100 miles of protected bike lanes during his term as the city's mayor. To make it better, plans for 2012 have already begun.

2012 Safe Biking Plans:

-Install protected bike lanes along Elston Avenue.

-Install protected bike lanes along the west side boulevards.

-New bikeways within a half a mile of every Chicago resident by 2015.

Illinois Tip-Over Accident Injures Child

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:10:17 -0600

Another child has suffered some serious injuries in Chicago because of a falling TV, according to NBC Chicago.

A large, box-style television set reportedly fell off of a bookshelf and onto a 2-year-old girl. Local police say that the accident happened around 3 p.m. at the little girl's home on South Union Street in Aurora. The child was transported to Rush-Copley Medical Center. It has not yet been determined how the television fell off the shelf.

Our Chicago premises liability understand that there have been an overwhelming number of reports of TVs falling on children in the area in recent years.

Back in November, a 3-year-old was killed after a television fell on her in Hamilton Park. In October, a 6-year-old boy was killed after his television fell on his head. Just last month, a 4-year-old was killed. A 1-year-old and a 2-year-old were also killed earlier this month in similar tip-over situations.

These reports are causing some serious concern nationwide, too. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports there were nearly 250 deaths resulting from tip-over accidents from 2000 to 2010. All of these accident reports involved children under the age of 9. About 90 percent of these cases involved children who were under the age of 6. In nearly 60 percent of these reports, children were crushed by the weight of an appliance, a television or some kind of furniture. Nearly 70 percent of these fatalities were the result of injuries to the head.

The problem gets even worse. Approximately 22,000 children under the age of 9 were sent to emergency rooms from 2008 to 2010 because of injuries sustained in a tip-over accident. Again, a majority of these injuries were sustained to the victim's head.

"Children like to climb on furniture. Placing TVs on furniture not intended for them or having furniture that is not secured can have tragic consequences," said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

Tenenbaum would like to remind parents that these types of accidents can be easily prevented with a few low-cost steps, like anchoring down heavy devices, televisions, dressers, etc.

More Tips to Help Prevent Tip-Over Accidents:

-Anchor furniture to the floor or to the wall.

-Always put television sets on low, sturdy bases.

-Anchor your television to the furniture it's on and then anchor that furniture to the wall or the floor.

-Push your furniture and television as close to the wall as possible.

-Keep toys, remote controls and other items children may be tempted to play with away from TV stands and other dangerous furniture.

-Remove all cable cords and electrical cords from a child's reach.

-Always supervise children in rooms with these items.

-Be sure to equip your stoves and ranges with anti-tip brackets.