Pedestrian Killed Next to Disabled Car Near O'Hare Airport

Last month a man was killed as he was walking in the early morning near a disabled car at the Far Northwest Side near O’Hare Airport. The accident happened at approximately 1:35 in the morning on Saturday March 23, in the 5800 block of North Mannheim Road. Police believe that the young woman driving a PT Cruiser south on Mannheim may have been cut off by another vehicle suddenly, causing her to swerve the vehicle from left to right in order to prevent a collision. In doing so she struck a pedestrian and a parked Volvo which was disabled.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, the victim of the crash, who remained unidentified by midday, was believed to be in his 40s and died shortly after the accident. Police believe he may have been the owner of the Volvo. The woman remained on the scene and was cooperative with police questioning.

The data regarding accidents occurring off of the roadway, such as this one, may surprise you. The startling numbers from 2009, for example, can be found on page 51, table 28 of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's publication entitled (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts 2009.

According to the document, the number of fatal accidents within the categories of "off of roadway" and "on the shoulder," almost equal the amount of those that occur on the roadway: 2,497 (shoulder) + 10,114 (off roadway) compared with 16,906 (on roadway). Out of a total of 30,797 fatal crashes total, this means that accidents off the roadway and on the shoulder account for over 40% of fatal crashes overall.

Here are some general safety tips if your car becomes disabled:

pull off of the roadway completely
put on your hazard lights and pop your hood (the universal signal for distress)
exit from the door opposite of the roadway
if you remain in the vehicle, lock the doors, and keep your seat belt on until help arrives

Pedestrians must remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings at all times in order to avoid becoming victim of an unexpected injury or untimely death. This is especially true in large metropolitan areas such as Chicago, where there are lots of cars on the road. Unfortunately, those traveling on foot run the risk of becoming the victim of a reckless, distracted, or otherwise negligent driver every time they step outside.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Disabled parking permits

I'm sure that many of us have seen someone get out of the car without any problems or issues and having parked in a disabled parking spot with a disabled parking sticker. Recently, I saw some one who had such a sticker and is clearly not disabled. I'm not sure how anyone could bring themselves to pull off such a fraud but you never know.

There is an old saying "I used to complain about no shoes until I met a man with no feet". I have myself been guilty of parking in handicapped parking when I was young man. When I represented my first paralyzed personal injury victim and saw the struggles he went through every day, I never parked in a handicapped spot again.

The handicapped truly struggle and adapt to hardships that some of us could not even imagine. Anyone who walks a mile in a handicapped person shoes would not be able to park in handicap spot unjustly.

According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles persons who are eligible for are those with very serious eye issues and others who have mobility problems impairing their ability to move around.

I am certain that the vast majority of people who display are appropriate users and should be entitled to such permits. I'm also certain that others are abusing this privilege and it does not reflect well on our community.

Greg Baumgartner is a Houston injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with an accident lawyer in Houston call the Baumgartner Law Firm.


View the Original article