Deficiencies in Bridges May Place Illinois Drivers in Danger

Home > Car Accident > Deficiencies in Bridges May Place Illinois Drivers in Danger

A new study indicates that more than 8 percent of bridges in Illinois have structural problems that may lead to dangerous conditions for drivers in the state. The study was conducted by Transportation for America, an organization focused on improving American infrastructure, and reports that nationally, about 11 percent of bridges are in danger.

Many of the nation's bridges and overpasses are old, causing much of the problem. With most designed intended for a 50 year life, the average age of America's bridges hovering around 43 years means that the current problem will only increase in the future unless steps are taken soon.

According to the report, Illinois has 26,514 bridges and overpasses, of which 8.7 percent have been deemed structurally deficient. This designation is applied to bridges that need some immediate repair to an area that threatens safety.

In the past decade, there have been multiple bridge collapses that have garnered public attention. Some of those turned fatal with unsuspecting motorists losing their lives. This study indicates that more tragedies like this could continue to happen, claim the lives of many Americans and injuring others. Illinois is no exception as the state's numerous highways and bodies of water mean there are bridges and overpasses everywhere.

Awareness of safety concerns related to aging bridges increases but the means to fix the bridges does not follow. Without a significant source of financial support, many of these structures will remain in their dangerous condition indefinitely, threatening drivers on a daily basis.

Though it is cruel, there may be little that an average citizen can do to rectify this situation until an accident happens. After that, a victim may have a claim against a city or state for allowing a dangerous bridge to remain in its dangerous condition while in use. But this does not eliminate the problem or prevent loss of life which means that it is a focus on the tragic outcome and not on prevention.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a dangerous or defective bridge, it is important to realize that you can get help and that you may have a claim for your loss. As a victim, it is your right to seek representation you deserve to help you in a time of need.

A personal injury attorney can take a difficult and complicated case and handle it for you, often getting you a settlement where none was previously offered or getting you a larger settlement than if you were not represented by leveling the field with insurance companies.

If you have been injured in an accident, let the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. provide you with a free, no obligation telephone consultation regarding your accident and whether you have a claim. At Abels & Annes, we only represent victims and we fight for our clients every day. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours to take your call so please reach us toll free at (855) 529-2442 now and let us help you.

Prior Blog Entries:

Motorcyclist Killed in Lakeview Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 21, 2013.

Barrington Hills Man Charged in Fatal DUI Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 20, 2013.

Resources:

More than 8 percent of Illinois bridges structurally deficient, by Ravi Baichwal, ABC 7 News, published 19, 2013.

Photo Credit: runrunrun, stock.xchng.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Minimum Auto Liability Rates Set to Increase in Illinois

Illinois drivers are likely to face an increase in the mandatory minimum liability insurance required by the State as a bill to do so has been passed by both houses and is now on its way to the governor. The current minimum liability limits are $20,000 per person and $40,000 per occurrence and are set to be raised to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per occurrence.

Liability insurance is mandatory for all Illinois drivers and it provides coverage in the event that a driver causes injuries to another person, either in another vehicle, a bicyclist, a pedestrian, or even a passenger in the driver's own vehicle. The State of Illinois allows motorists to select the amount of liability insurance they carry but each driver is required to have the minimum liability insurance of $20,000/$40,000. This means that if a driver has the minimum insurance required and is at fault in an accident, any single person who is injured can collect up to $20,000 from the driver's insurance company but that the insurance company is only liable for up to $40,000 in injury damages, regardless of how many people are injured.

If this new law takes effect, as it is expected to do, those drivers who elect to carry the minimum coverage will now have a little extra insurance on their side while those who are injured in auto accidents will have the potential for a greater recovery for their losses. Though the cost of medical care has skyrocketed in the last decades, the level of required liability insurance has not increased in 24 years, meaning that the insurance limits have not kept pace with inflation or rising costs associated with collisions.

While this increase will be great for Illinois citizens, it is not a large enough increase to guarantee protection in the event of a collision. The truth is that car accidents regularly cause serious, debilitating injuries and even death, and that in these cases a mere $25,000 does not come close to fully compensating an injured victim or the victim's family. Often a simple visit to the emergency room by ambulance after a collision can cost in excess of that limit which would leave no money available for follow up treatment, including surgeries, therapy, or rehabilitation procedures that a victim needs.

Since the mandatory minimum liability insurance limits are so low in the state and since the anticipated increase is so minor, it is important for all drivers to be aware of the risks that come with limited insurance and take steps to protect themselves. The best way to make sure you are protected is to get an insurance policy with a provision known as uninsured/underinsured coverage. This is a type of automobile insurance coverage that applies when you are injured by a driver without insurance or by a driver who cannot be identified because he fled the scene of the collision. Importantly it also provides excess coverage in a case where you are hurt by a driver who has insurance but not enough to fully compensate you. In this type of case, like where a driver has low or minimum insurance, a knowledgeable attorney can help you first recover against the at-fault driver and then make an additional, and often much larger, recovery on your behalf through your own insurance company.

You cannot control the behavior of other drivers or ensure that every other driver has great insurance so to protect yourself, you should purchase insurance from a reliable company and buy appropriate coverage, including uninsured/underinsured insurance. If you have been involved in an accident with a driver who did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance, you may still have a claim for your losses, including any medical bills you incurred.

Call the Illinois car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free consultation regarding your accident, your injuries, and your rights. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day so please call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and let us get to work for you.

Prior Blog Entries:

Wrong Way Driver on Chicago Skyway Causes Crash that Injures 4, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 27, 2013.

Simulated Car Crash Before Prom Gets the Attention of Lake Zurich Students, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 24, 2013.

Resources:

Illinois poised to raise minimum required auto insurance, by Becky Yerak, Chicago Tribune, published May 28, 2013.

Photo Credit: Image ID: 251732, lfpilz, stock.xchng.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Van Driver in Illinois Crash that Killed 5 Had Suspended License

The driver of a van that was involved in a bad rollover crash last week in southern Illinois was driving on a suspended license, according to the Associated Press.

Though the Illinois State Police Department has not identified the driver, the Associated Press obtained the citation issued as a result of the crash which did list the driver's name. From there, it could determine the driver, a resident of New Jersey, had his license suspended last year for insurance-related issues after failing to make three mandatory payments to a New Jersey court. His license was also suspended briefly in 2002 for falling behind on child support.

The crash occurred in Vandalia, Illinois on I-70. Some reports indicate that the van was on the highway while others have stated that the van was on a highway ramp but it is clear that the driver lost control of the vehicle which flipped and rolled over several times. Eleven people were in the van at the time and nine of them were ejected as the van rolled. Five of the passengers died.

The van was reportedly traveling from California back to New Jersey after a week-long ministry gathering out west when the Illinois crash occurred. The names of all the victims have not yet been released but it has been learned that the driver as well as at least one of the passengers had criminal pasts, including incarceration, for crimes unrelated to this incident.

The victims are believed to have been members of Victory Outreach International, a religious group that attempts to help people take control of their lives as well as reaching out to at-risk groups. With over 700 churches world-wide, Victory Outreach is also known for providing drug and alcohol rehabilitation services to those in need.

Though the driver in this accident was cited for improper lane usage and driving on a suspended license, it is possible that he could be charged with additional traffic and possibly criminal offenses once the cause of the crash is determined.

In addition to any citations issued by the Illinois State Police Department, the driver of the van may face civil claims or lawsuits by the passengers that were injured or by the families of those who were killed. The civil claims may be made for things like injuries, medical bills, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and wrongful death. It may also be possible that claims could be brought against the religious group that the driver belonged to, especially if the group owned the van or if it provided the transportation for the victims to and from California.

Large passenger vehicles like the one in this case often mean that crashes can result in serious or fatal injuries. Passengers do not use seat belts in larger vehicles as often as they do in passenger cars creating a higher risk of ejection and serious injuries in the event of a collision.

If you have been injured in a car crash, call the Illinois car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free telephone consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442 so call us know and let us help you get a recovery you deserve.

Prior Blog Entries:

Simulated Car Crash Before Prom Gets the Attention of Lake Zurich Students, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 24, 2013.

Alcohol Believed to Be a Factor in Chicago Crash that Injured 4, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 22, 2013.

Resources:

Driver in downstate Illinois van wreck had license suspended, Associated Press/ABC 7 News, published May 23, 2013.

Photo Credit: Image ID: 870128, mzacha, stock.xchng.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Firey Illinois Crash Was Caused by Drunk Driver

Home > DUI > Firey Illinois Crash Was Caused by Drunk Driver

A crash early Wednesday morning on the Eisenhower Expressway was not merely an accident, according to local police. The driver of the vehicle was legally drunk and under the influence of alcohol when she crashed her car in Elk Grove Village in the early morning hours, backing up traffic and causing delays for several hours.

It now appears that the woman was driving a minivan northbound on I-290 near Biesterfield Road when she lost control. The van veered across all lanes of traffic before striking a poll and coming to a stop where the car caught fire. The fire spread rapidly and engulfed the entire vehicle within minutes in a hot and intense burn.

Another driver saw the crash and stopped to help because he believed it to be the appropriate thing to do. Ironically, this Good Samaritan had just seen the movie Fast & Furious 6, a theatrical release known for its car racing, crashes, and action stunts. As the Good Samaritan approached the car, he noticed the driver was still inside and that she was obviously injured. Her face was cut and bleeding and she seemed to be searching for something within her vehicle. After confirming that there were no other people inside the minivan, the Good Samaritan told the female driver that her vehicle was on fire and that she needed to get out, immediately, because he feared the fire spreading or the vehicle exploding.

The injured driver exited her vehicle and emergency reponders provided her with transportation to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Authorities stayed at the scene to put out the fire and investigate the crash, including why it occurred, and in combination with other information, they came to the conclusion that the woman was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. She was arrested and cited with driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a crime in the state of Illinois.

Drunk driving is dangerous and often deadly to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists in Illinois and along the Illinois roadways. A drunk driver is more likely to ignore hazards in the road than a sober driver, weave in and out of lanes of traffic, and drive at erratic speeds, all of which can lead to an accident that causes injuries.

There are tough traffic and criminal penalties for drivers under the influence but what some people do not realize is that in many instances, there may also be a civil case against a drunk driver who causes injuries. In a civil case, a person may bring a financial claim for injuries and damages they sustained as the result of the drunk driver, including medical bills and lost wages.

Each case is different and each set of facts are unique so if you have been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, you should contact an attorney to see if you have a claim. The drunk driving injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. offer a free telephone consultation with no obligation to anyone injured in a drunk driving collision. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call and answer your question at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442 so please call us now.

Prior Blog Entries:

Minimum Auto Liability Rates Set to Increase in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 29, 2013.

Wrong Way Driver on Chicago Skyway Causes Crash That Injures 4, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 27, 2013.

Resources:

Woman escapes burning minivan on I-290; Good Samaritan stops to help, by Karen Jordan and Jessica D'Onofrio, ABC Chicago, published May 29, 2013.

Photo Credit: Image ID: 1391671, Krappweis, stock.xchng.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Illinois Woman Celebrates End of DUI Penalties By Drinking and Driving

A 58-year-old Brookfield woman was arrested for driving under the influence on Friday in Riverside. When asked by police officers, the woman informed them that she had been celebrating earlier in the evening because she got her driver's licence back after a conviction for driving under the influence last fall.

The woman was pulled over for speeding but later tests revealed her blood alcohol content to be 0.155, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. She is facing charges for felony aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and may face incarceration as a result.

The responding officer ran a check on the woman's license and learned that it was still suspended from her prior conviction, despite her claims to the contrary. As part of her prior sentence, a breath-alcohol ignition interlock device was reportedly installed in her car. The device requires a driver to exhale into a collection tube before the car can be started. If the presence of alcohol is detected on the driver's breath, the vehicle will not start. However in this case, it appears the woman was driving someone else's car that did not have a breath-alcohol ignition interlock device installed, allowing her to drive even with her high blood alcohol content.

Illinois law presumes that any driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher is driving under the influence of alcohol and is impaired. This is the level that applies to the general population though specific types of drivers may face more stringent requirements. For example, drivers under the age of 21 and bus drivers are not allowed any alcohol in their system when driving while the limit for commercial drivers is a blood alcohol content of 0.04. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, the average driver arrested for driving under the influence is male, 34 years old, arrested between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. on a weekend, and possesses a blood alcohol content of 0.16 - twice the legal limit.

Drunk drivers are less aware of their surroundings and have slower reaction times, making them a danger to all drivers on the roads. They can be responsible for collisions with other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, or even pedestrians that may result in injuries or death. If you have been injured by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, call the Illinois drunk driving injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a consultation regarding your case. You may have a claim for your personal injuries and any lost wages you sustained as a result of the collision. If you have been injured or if a loved one has been injured or killed, call us today at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. We have a lawyer standing by to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide you with a free consultation with no obligation. Call us now and let us fight for a recovery you deserve.

Prior Blog Entries:

School Bus Driver Faces No Charges in Fatal Illinois Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 3, 2013.

4 Vehicle Crash Injures 5 in Southwest Chicago Suburb, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 2, 2013.

Resources:

Woman busted in Riverside for DUI tells police she was celebrating getting license back - after earlier DUI, Chicago Sun-Times, published May 4, 2013.

2013 Illinois DUI fact book, State of Illinois, February 2013.

Photo Credit: A beer in a pub, Image ID 1171697, stock.xchng.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

School Bus Driver Faces No Charges in Fatal Illinois Crash

A school bus driver involved in a fatal collision near Wadsworth earlier this month will not face any charges, according to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office. At least one witness at the scene of the crash originally indicated the bus driver ran a red light, but officials say that witnesses gave conflicting statements thereafter regarding the cause of the collision.

On April 5, the school bus collided with two SUVs at the intersection of Highway 173 and Kilbourne Road, resulting in the death of one of the SUV drivers. A toxicology report on the victim showed what is believed to be prescription drugs in the SUV driver's system at the time of the crash, adding speculation as to the cause of the collision.

There were 35 children on board the bus that morning which was traveling to Newport Elementary School in Wadsworth. The collision demolished one of the SUVs, caused significant damage to the other, and caused the school bus to roll on its side. In all, 37 people were injured.

In most collisions, people who are injured by the negligence of another driver have a right to bring a claim against at-fault driver's insurance. The claim may be made to cover things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the deceased driver of the SUV is determined to be at-fault in this crash, the adults and students on the bus may be able to bring claims against the SUV driver's insurance.

Most individual automobile insurance policies do not have limits high enough to cover all of the people injured in this collision. Illinois law requires drivers to have a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per collision in insurance coverage though drivers can carry a greater amount. Even with a large insurance policy, there may not be enough money to cover the damages caused by a crash.

If your damages are greater than the negligent driver's insurance, you may also have an underinsured motorist claim. In this type of claim, your own insurance company will "step into the shoes" of the at-fault driver and provide another source of potential monetary compensation for your claim.

Many people have private insurance policies that provide underinsured motorist coverage in case of a crash with significant injuries and a small insurance policy. In the case of the crash between the school bus and the SUV, the children on board the school bus may be covered by an underinsured provision in their parents' policy and/or an underinsured provision in the policy covering the school bus. Some buses provide this type of coverage to their passengers, including PACE, while other buses, like the CTA, do not. It depends on the language of the insurance policy at issue.

If your child has been injured while riding on a school bus, you may have a claim on behalf of your child against the at-fault driver as well as a possible underinsured motorist claim. The knowledgeable school bus crash lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to discuss your child's injuries. To find out what rights your child may have, please call us today at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442.

More Blog Posts:

Deadly Illinois Bus Accident Kills 1, Injures 37, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published April 5, 2013.

4 Vehicle Crash Injures 5 in Southwest Chicago Suburb, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 2, 2013.

Resources:

Bus Driver Cleared Following Fatal Accident, NBC Chicago, published April 30, 2013.

Photo Credit: Bus, Image ID 604402, stock.xchng

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Firey Truck Crash Seriously Injures 4 in Illinois

A three vehicle crash on the Edens near Northbrook left four people injured on Sunday night, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Illinois State Police Department reported that a truck traveling northbound attempted to switch from the right lane to the center lane when it was not clear to do so, striking a vehicle in the center lane. The truck then veered hard to the right where it struck a second vehicle. After the second impact, the driver of the truck lost control, veered left across all lanes of traffic, and stuck a wall on the highway shoulder.

After the truck came to a rest, one of its gas tanks caught fire. Four people were injured in the collision and transported to local hospitals. A 10-year-old girl and a woman both suffered life-threatening injuries and their present conditions are not known.

Another woman and a man also were injured in the crash which caused traffic in both lanes to be diverted for a period of time.

Illinois State Police confirmed they cited the driver of the truck for improper lane usage, failure to have insurance, and failure to display a medical card and log book.

This collision is a reminder of just how serious crashes with semis can be. Semi trucks can be 20 times larger than a standard passenger car with a mass to match. This means that in a collision, a standard passenger vehicle is no match for a semi and often suffers extreme damage.

In 2011, there were 10,033 crashes involving semi trucks and 93 fatal crashes involving semis in Illinois. This number accounted for 3.6 percent of all crashes but 9.7 percent of fatalities. Of those fatalities, 74 were occupants in vehicles other than the semi and 4 were pedestrians, meaning that 15 of the deaths involved semi-truck drivers and occupants.

Semi truck collisions are also particularly deadly because semis often travel at high rates of speed. Truck drivers spend a large percent of their time on highways and freeways which allows the truckers to drive fast. Increased speeds means that the forces involved in any collision are significant and can lead to serious injuries.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Illinois Senate Votes to Increase Highway Speed Limit to 70

The Illinois Senate voted to increase the state maximum speed to 70 miles per hour on highways, a 5 mile per hour increase over the state's current limit of 65 mph. The bill has some flexibility and would allow Cook County, some collar counties, and two counties near St. Louis to opt out of the increase if officials determined it would be proper to do so.

Sponsored by Senator Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, the bill has been touted as being business-friendly by allowing commerce to move at a quicker pace. The bill passed easily in the Senate with a 41-6 vote and now moves onto the House. If the bill becomes law, the speed increase would take effect January 1, 2014.

Faster speed limits allow all drivers to get to their destinations quicker than they would in a slower speed zone. But fast transit time is not the only thing to be concerned of when considering highway speeds. Studies have routinely found that higher highway speeds are correlated with greater numbers of fatal accidents in the State, which in turn costs the state millions of dollars each year.

In 2009, car accidents caused by speeding on interstates resulted in 51 fatalities in Illinois alone. Of those fatalities, 41 took place in areas with a speed limit in excess of 55 miles per hour. This is because as vehicles travel at higher rates of speed, the force of a collision likewise increases, causing the vehicles involved to suffer greater damage and more serious injuries than they would in a crash with slower speeds.

Increased speeds also cause drivers to have slower reaction times, a critical tool when it comes to defensive driving and avoiding dangerous situations. With less time to react to danger, a crash is more likely to occur.

As car crash lawyers, we handle cases every day where one driver caused a collision by driving faster than necessary. Many of these collisions could be eliminated or at least reduced in severity if drivers slowed down and paid attention to their surroundings. While an increased speed limit may appear to have some benefits, it certainly has some negatives that should be considered before new law is enacted.

The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. work exclusively on injury claims, including all types of car accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, call the Illinois car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, PC. today. You may have a claim against the at-fault driver for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses you incurred. Talk to a legal expert today by calling (855) LAW-CHICAGO. We have a lawyer available 24 hours a day to answer your call.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Deadly Illinois Bus Accident Kills One, Injures 37

There was a terrible bus accident this morning in the north suburbs of Chicago. Early reports indicate that the driver of a school bus ran a red light and collided with two SUVs near Wadsworth. The driver of one of those SUVs was killed in the collision, according to the Chicago Tribune.

A Lake County Sheriff described the collision as nearly a t-bone with all vehicles suffering significant damage. The SUV of the person killed was destroyed from the rear seat forward and the bus fell over and landed on its side, shattering several windows.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Highway 173 and Kilbourne Road in Newport Township with the bus reportedly was on its way to Newport Elementary School to drop off students for the day.

Children from the bus were examined at the scene and placed either on another bus with paramedics or in ambulances to be transported to hospitals. Two passengers in an SUV and 35 students from the bus were injured and examined. The driver of the bus did not appear to sustain any serious injuries but was shaken and upset at the scene.

Most of the children, believed to be in grades kindergarten through fifth, appeared to suffer minor injuries including bumps and bruises. However there were fractured hands, head injuries, and other broken bones. Some of the students were distraught at the scene and crying for their parents.

At least one eye witness stated that the bus driver ran a red light. Area residents said the light was just installed last year and that its presence had made some of the neighbors feel safer.

Unfortunately school buses are often involved in collisions and cause injuries to thousands of children every year. In 2008, 123 school-aged children were injured in school bus collisions in Illinois alone with another 71 non school-aged passengers injured as well. Since most children do not wear seat belts on school buses, they have a high risk of serious injury, especially when a bus rolls over as it did in this case.

It can be particularly scary to have a child involved in a school bus accident because parents entrust the safety of their children to bus drivers. Most parents believe that a school bus and their drivers are safe and will put the safety of the children first. However that does not always happen.

Bus drivers, like any other driver, can be guilty of driving negligently. Bus drivers can run red lights, speed, follow too closely, and get distracted just like other negligent drivers. However the risks associated with negligence are much higher for bus drivers because they are often responsible the safety of dozens of children at any given time.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Lawsuit Filed Over Fatal Megabus Crash in Illinois

A Megabus crash last summer caused injuries to a passenger and left her disabled and disfigured, according to a new lawsuit filed in Cook County.

The Megabus was traveling between Chicago and St. Louis on I-55 when a front tire blew, causing the driver to lose control and strike a concrete pillar in Litchfield. More than 70 passengers were on board at the time of the crash and several had to be extricated. One passenger died in the collision and dozens were injured, including the woman who filed the recent lawsuit.

The lawsuit names Megabus as a defendant as well as the driver of the bus, the owner and operator Coach USA, and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations which reportedly made the tire at issue. Reports indicate that the driver of the bus was still in training when a front tire blew on the highway. The driver claims he removed his foot from the accelerator but did not brake because he feared causing the double-decker bus to roll over.

After the collision last summer, Megabus released a statement saying the bus had been made just the prior year and had passed a full safety and preventative maintenance inspection within the week before the crash.

Several passengers recounted the crash to media outlets after the collision, saying the force of the impact was significant and threw many passengers forward and out of their seats, some into the aisles. Unfortunately this often occurs with bus accidents of any type because buses rarely have seat belts available for passenger use.

Many people have a false sense of safety while aboard a large passenger vehicle like a bus or motorcoach because of the size of the vehicle compared to the other passenger cars on the road. In reality, bus accidents occur daily and often cause serious injuries, including broken bones, cuts and bruises, head and neck injuries, and even death.

Chicago is a major hub for busing both locally and across the nation with service by PACE, CTA, Greyhound, and private buses. When you ride on a bus or motorcoach, you place your safety in the hands of the driver, assuming the driver is knowledgeable, skillful, and safe. That is not always the case and bus drivers can be negligent like any other driver on the road.

If you have been involved in a bus accident that left you injured or if a family member was injured or killed by the negligence of a bus driver, please call the Chicago bus accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your case. If you have been injured, you have legal rights and should contact an attorney to discuss them in detail. We can be reached 24 hours a day at (855) 529-2442 or (312) 924-7575.

Note: Abels & Annes, P.C. does not represent the woman who recently filed a lawsuit in this matter but has represented individuals in very similar accidents in the past.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Study Focuses on Countermeasures to Reduce Risks of Distracted-Driving Car Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently released a summary of the affects and consequences of distracted driving. The organization is giving the information to states, which are encouraged to make changes.

The information was taken from nearly 400 papers written between 2000 and 2011 about driver distraction. According to distraction.gov, more than 5,400 people were killed in 2009 because of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere that involved a distracted driver. Approximately 448,000 people were injured because of these incidents.

Out Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that distracting diving habits can oftentimes produce fatal consequences. Distractions affect a driver's ability to react to road hazards and could be involved in as many as 30 percent of all traffic fatalities. The new report, "Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do." aims to determine which countermeasures can be taken by state officials to help reduce the risks of these types of accidents.

The study was funded by a grant from State Farm. The report also illustrates exactly what distracted driving is, how a distraction can impact a driver's abilities, how often motorists are distracted behind the wheel, and what the crash risks are for these types of accidents.

“Despite all that has been written about driver distraction, there is still a lot that we do not know,” said GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha.

The distracted driving report made the following findings:

-Distractions significantly affect a driver's performance.

-Drivers have been found to drive while distracted about half of the time they're behind the wheel.

-Drivers have the ability to adapt. Drivers are able to focus more of their attention on driving and reduce the attention focused on a distraction in a risky driving scenario.

-Texting behind the wheel is much more dangerous that using a cell phone while driving.

States, according to the report, should consider the following countermeasures to combat the problem:

-Continue low-cost road measures, including centerline rumble strips. These strips alert drivers that a vehicle is drifting out of the lane.

-Consider enacting a texting ban for all drivers.

-Consider enacting a complete cell phone ban for all drivers. This ban is most effective when hands-free devices are included in the law.

-Keep a record of all distracted-driving accidents. This information will help officials to evaluate any current distracted driving laws or programs.

-Conduct research before enacting new distracted driving-related laws. Government officials should research areas in which the desired laws are already in effect to determine how they could potentially affect local traffic.

-Continue to enforce current distracted driving-related laws.

-Encourage all employers to create and enforce an anti-cell phone policy in the workplace. This is especially important for employees who drive on the job.

In the state of Illinois, all drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving through a school zone or in a highway construction zone. All school bus drivers and those who are under the age of 19 are also prohibited from using a cell phone while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. All drivers in the City of Chicago have been banned from using a hand held cell phone while driving. No driver is the state is allowed to text while driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident with a distracted driver, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer you a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Windy City Drivers Among the Nation's Worst -- Chicago Car Accidents Often Result, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 12, 2011

As the School Year Begins, Officials Focus on Preventing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 31, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Local Celebs Participate in Demonstration to Raise Awareness of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois

We can now say goodbye to the summer season. Unfortunately the risks of drunk driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere will not diminish as we head into football season and the year-end holidays. With the holiday season approaching, more and more drivers head out to local hot spots to celebrate good times with friends and family, according to KTTC.

To help reduce the risks of these drunk driving accidents, Pete McMurray, the morning show host for Chicago's 97.9 The Loop and NBC Chicago's "24/7" television show, uses his time on the air to raise awareness in drivers of the effects of driving while intoxicated. He uses his shows to educate his listeners about the dangers and the consequences that motorists face when sharing the roadways with an irresponsible and intoxicated drivers.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand that a large number of motorists are injured and killed by intoxicated drivers every year. To help combat this number, the Illinois State Police recently conducted a "Wet Lab Experiment." As we recently discussed on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, a wet lab experiment requires participants to consume an amount of alcohol that would place them at a legally drunk level (.08 blood alcohol concentration). They are then asked to complete a number of tasks that a normal drunk driver would if they were stopped by an officer, including a DUI arrest and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). McMurray was also a part of the demonstration.

McMurray participated in a wet lab experiment live during The Pete McMurray Show on 97.9 The Loop. The experiment took place late last month.

"It is important for people to know what effect even a single drink can have on your abilities and judgment. Even at 6am when we're starting the show and certain third shift socialites are just hitting their favorite pub," said McMurray.

Jane Monzures, the host of "Living Healthy Chicago" of WGN, also joined McMurray for the drunk driving awareness demonstration.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 300 people that were killed because of traffic accidents that involved an intoxicated driver in 2009 in Illinois. Our state reports that about 50,000 people are arrested every single year for driving while intoxicated.

After the experiment, members from the Chicago, Police Department, The National Transportation Safety Administration, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the media personalities and a number of other state officials participated in a press conference to discuss the findings of the wet lab.

It's no surprise that drinking and driving is a dangerous habit, yet far too many motorists continue to endanger innocent motorists on our roadways. With increased enforcement efforts and more conscious driving habits, we can all contribute our efforts to help make our roadways safer during the upcoming holiday season and year round.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Officers Crackdown on Intoxicated Drivers to Prevent Fatal Car Accidents over the Labor Day Weekend, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 2, 2011

Chicago injury lawyer settles DUI accident lawsuit for $100,000 policy limits, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, July 24, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Child Passenger Safety Week Kicks Off to Help Save Children in Illinois Car Accidents

National Passenger Safety Week is taking place from September 18th to the 24th. During this time, the Illinois State Police (ISP) will be continuing its efforts to help keep child passengers safe in the event of a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in the state. During the 2011 safety campaign, the Department of Human Services will be joining the ISP to conduct a number of events and child seat inspections to help parents to learn how to properly buckle a child in a motor vehicle.

ISP Trooper Mindy Carroll says that all parents and guardians are encouraged to attend these events and to have their child's car seat inspected by a certified technician. During this time, parents will be taught how to properly buckle in a child's car seat. Recent statistics show that roughly 75 percent of child seats are improperly installed into motor vehicles.

Our Illinois child injury attorneys ask that all parents do their part to help keep our children safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were nearly 1,500 children who were age 14-years-old or younger who were killed and another 180,000 who were injured in motor-vehicle accidents in 2009 in the U.S. We would also like to point out that nearly 250 child lives ages 4 and younger were saved in 2008 because they were properly buckled in their child seat. When these seats are used properly, they can reduce the risk of death by more than 70 percent for infants. The seats have the ability to decrease the risk of death for toddlers aged 1- to 4-years-old by more than 50 percent. Booster seats can reduce the risk of injury for children ages 4- to 7-years-old by nearly 60 percent.

"It's very important the car seat is secured properly inside the car and the child is secured properly inside the seat," says Carroll.

According to Carroll, the ISP follows the most recent child car seat recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Carroll goes on to instruct Illinois parents to keep all children that are under the age of 13 in the back seat. She also suggests that you keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as they're within the seat's height and weight limits as set forth by the manufacturer.

Illinois has enacted the Child Passenger Protection Act to further its efforts to keep our child passengers safe. This Act holds parents and guardians responsible for keeping children under the age of 8 safely and properly restrained in a child-safety seat. If you're busted with a child passenger who is not properly restrained, you can face a $75 fine for the first conviction. Illinois will waive the fee if you can prove that you have purchased or received an approved child seat and have had a technician properly install it into the vehicle.

If you or your child has been injured in a Chicago car accident, contact Abels & Annes for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Two Children Injured in a Three-Car Accident in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 16, 2011

New Car Seat Regulations to Increase Child Safety in Chicago Car Accidents, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, March 22, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Illinois personal injury lawyer settles auto accident case for insurance policy limits

Chicago car crash attorneys have reached a settlement on behalf of a Cook County resident that was injured by an inattentive driver who rear-ended him as he was preparing to turn into a shopping mall parking lot. The victim suffered injuries to his neck and back.

On September 24, 2009, our client was traveling southbound on 25th Avenue in Bellwood, Illinois when he turned his right turn signal on and began to slow down to an appropriate turning speed. Before he could attempt the turn, a 1994 Chevy Lumina failed to yield to the victim and rear-ended his 2006 Honda Ridgeline. The Bellwood Police Department responded to the scene and after a brief investigation, they placed the driver of the Honda at fault.

Immediately following the collision, the victim had an onset of back and neck pain that required him to be taken to Loyola University Medical Center by ambulance. The hospital performed a series of diagnostic tests and initially diagnosed him with a cervical strain and thoracic spine pain. He was placed in an aspen collar, prescribed pain medication, and instructed to seek follow up treatment with an orthopaedic doctor.

Six days after the accident occurred, ongoing and worsening pain in the victim’s neck, right arm, and left arm necessitated a trip back to the hospital emergency room. After more tests, doctors found that he had tenderness in the paraspinal musculature and instructed him to begin physical therapy and seek further treatment if necessary.

After an examination by an orthopedic physician in October, the doctor ordered an MRI as he believed the plaintiff may have sustained a herniated disc in the accident. The MRI results showed plaintiff sustained a disc bulge with at C3-4 level, peripheral right sided neural foraminal encroachment and impression upon the thecal sac, a right sided posterolateral disc herniation at the C4-5 level, encroachment of the exiting nerve root zone, and proximal right neural foramen, and a disc bulge at the C7-T1 level and peripheral neural foraminal encroachment bilaterally.

The doctor recommended that he receive a cervical spine epidural injection if his radicular symptoms continued. Our client completed fifteen sessions of physical therapy, but the pain of the injury continued, limiting his ability to conduct daily life activities.

Illinois injury attorneys at our office obtained the defendant's $20,000 insurance policy limits. The case against the at fault driver resolved without having to commit to a time-consuming and expensive lawsuit. That being said, attorneys at our office believe the value of his injuries are greater than $20,000, so we are now pursuing an underinsured motorist claim against the plaintiffs own auto insurance carrier to recover an additional amount.

You may be entitled to compensation for your auto accident injuries if they were caused by the fault of another. Contact the lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation case evaluation and see what your options are. Call (866) 99-ABELS.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Law Enforcement Steps Up Efforts to Reduce Risks of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois this Holiday Weekend

Drunk drivers are the target of a new campaign headed by a number of local police departments and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” will include a two-week enforcement effort consisting of roughly 350 sheriff's offices and police departments across the state. The enforcement efforts will continue through the first week of September in an attempt to bust drunk drivers before they cause a potentially fatal car accident in Illinois.

“Impaired driving is a serious crime plaguing our society, and affecting the lives of innocent, law abiding motorists on a regular basis,” said Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

Our Chicago drunk driving accident attorneys understand how dangerous these drivers are and how important it is to set up tough efforts to stop them. Through this new campaign, enforcement agencies throughout the state are prepared to take on these careless and reckless drivers.

Officials are also looking to crackdown on drivers that are not wearing a seat belt.

Through the enforcement period, the state of Illinois will conduct more than 200 roadside safe driving checkpoints. There will be hundreds of seat belt and intoxicated driving saturation patrols.

According to IDOT, both impaired driving and drivers not wearing a seat belt are a big problem that officials witness mainly during the evening hours. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drivers are at the most risk for a car accident during 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. in the state of Illinois. This time period also reports the lowest seat belt usage and the highest percentage of drunk drivers.

“Violating these laws can result in fines and possible jail time and will be treated as criminal acts by the police and court system,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau.

Illinois accident statistics conclude that there are more than 300 fatalities each year that result from traffic accidents that involve an impaired driver. Hundreds more are injured in the incidents.

During the 2010 Labor Day weekend, which is calculated from 6:00 p.m. from the Friday before the holiday to 11:59 p.m. of Labor Day, more than 10 people were killed in traffic accidents. One of these deaths involved an intoxicated driver. Nearly 800 people were injured on our roadways during the 2010 holiday weekend. There have been roughly 70 deaths from traffic accidents from 2006 to 2010 on holiday weekends. Nearly 40 percent of the fatalities were caused by car accidents that involved an impaired driver.

Local police ask that you help with the efforts by doing the following if you suspect that a driver is drunk:

-Take note of the make, model and color of the vehicle that the alleged intoxicated driver is operating.

-Call local authorities with the information. Include the location of the vehicle and the direction it's traveling. If possible, give them the license plate number but don't get too close to the vehicle to get it. If you can see the driver, provide officials with that information, too.

-Back off. Don't try to stop the driver. Doing so can put you and your vehicle's occupants in a compromising situation. Leave the rest of the job in the hands of officers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Two Children Injured in a Three-Car Accident in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 16, 2011

Proposed Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Legislation Aims to Reduce Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, August 4, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Two Children Injured in a Three-Car Accident in Illinois

A recent three-car accident in Illinois seriously injured two children. The traffic accident took place at Illinois 15 and 74th Street. According to Police Capt. Don Sax, an 11-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy were transported to a St. Louis hospital and both were listed in serious condition, according to Belleville Daily News.

The accident happened when the driver of a van slammed into the back of the vehicle that the child passengers were in as the light changed to green and the family's vehicle started to pass through the intersection. Officials did not see any skid marks left from either of the vehicles, which indicates that the mini wan was traveling at full-speed, or at about 55 mph. The family's vehicle was pushed into an SUV that was in front of them.

We can expect to see an increased number of car accidents on our roadways throughout the rest of the month as August has been repeatedly proven to be the deadliest month on all U.S. roadways. According to MSN Money, more accidents have occurred in the month of August than during any other month since 1994. Our Chicago auto accident attorneys understand that one of the top contributors to this trend is the increase in traffic during August. This is one of the busiest months on our roadways and many residents are out taking summer trips, running errands and venturing out on vacations.

More specifically, August has a death rate of 1.09 per 100 million miles traveled. The second deadliest month is September with a death rate of 1.08. The safest month to be on our roadways is March as it has a death rate of 0.94.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there was an average of 93 people killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. every day in 2009. That equals one traffic fatality every 16 minutes. Through extensive research, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has concluded that 7 of the deadliest 25 days occur in the month of August.

Residents typically have more time for travel in August. For the same reason, we experience more traffic-accident fatalities on weekends rather than on weekdays. Weekends are also a time when we witness more drunk driving.

Saturdays are the deadliest of the weekend days. In 2009, Saturdays averaged about 123 deaths a day. Sundays averaged about 107 deaths a day, followed by 103 deaths on Fridays.

Here are the week's remaining average daily roadway fatalities for 2009:

-Mondays: 79 deaths.

-Wednesdays: 78 deaths.

-Thursdays: deaths 84.

"A large proportion of crashes happen in late afternoon and early evening in general, but especially in August," says Russ Rader, a spokesman for the institute. That's when the roads fill up both with commuters and vacationers.

The Institute reports that more than 33,800 people were killed in traffic accidents on U.S. roads in 2009:

-Those ages 13 to 15 accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities.

-16 to 19: 9 percent.

-20 to 34: 31 percent.

-35 to 49, 23 percent.

-50 to 69, 22 percent.

-70 and up, 12 percent.

If you or a loved one has been injured in car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

Additional Resources:

Two kids hurt in 3-car crash on Illinois 15, by Laura Girresch, Belleville Daily News

The deadliest month on the road, by Gina Roberts-Grey, MSN Money

More Blog Entries:

Expressways Experience Frequent Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, August 12, 2011

Teen's Car Can Help Keep Them Safe in Event of a Chicago Car Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, August 8, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Deadly Illinois motorcycle accident – witnesses say state trooper at fault

A Chicago-area motorcycle crash that occurred on Friday night on Interstate 88 has claimed the life of an Aurora resident, according to the Beacon News. A witness to the accident is saying that an Illinois state trooper caused the accident.

The victim, age 29, was riding to Chicago with two friends who were on two separate motorcycles. According to state police, around 9:15 PM in the area of Winfield Road, one of the bikers swerved in front of the other, and that led to the second biker taking evasive action.

But a friend of the motorcyclist killed is stating that a state trooper was the main factor in causing the accident. The witness is saying that the motorcyclists were cut off by a police car. The witness was reportedly riding around 150 feet behind the accident.

He says that, for reasons unknown, the police vehicle passed motorcycle riders, and then hit the brakes. This caused the victim to swerve, but he was unable to complete the maneuver, and was ejected off of his bike. He might have then been hit by a passing truck. The rider next to him was able to pull his cycle over to the side of the interstate.

Witnesses also said that the state police car did not have lights or sirens activated. The other bikers did not know the vehicle was a police car until it passed them by.

A spokesperson for the Illinois State Police is stating that the accident is still under investigation and that no further information is being released yet. They are also saying it is also unknown yet if drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident. However, the victim's friends and stated that he had not been drinking and that he was wearing a motorcycle helmet.

To make matters worse, it is being alleged that when the victim's wife arrived at the scene, she started to run towards the victim and was then tackled by police, causing minor injuries.

It is further being reported that friends and family of the deceased have called in a branch of the NAACP to help fully investigate the occurrence. Other than the fact that the victim was African-American, there is no other reason given as to why the NAACP was contacted, and no other indication that race played a role in the state trooper's alleged actions. Further, it was nighttime and the victim was wearing a helmet, so it is unclear as to how the state trooper would have known the race of the motorcyclist.

It has not been reported if a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer is involved in the case yet or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

The last several days have been particularly dangerous for motorcyclists in the Chicago area. The Chicago Sun-Times reporting that a motorcyclist was injured early Tuesday morning on the south side after being involved in a head-on collision with a marked Chicago police car in the 8500 block of S. Chicago Ave.

It has not been reported as to how the vehicles collided or if any citations are being issued.

The motorcycle rider was taken to Northwestern Hospital with multiple fractures. The officer in the police car was also injured, and was taken to Christ Hospital in Oak lawn. His injuries are reportedly non-life-threatening.

In yet another deadly Illinois motorcycle crash, the Chicago Tribune is reporting that a rider from Calumet city was killed in an accident in Kankakee County. The motorcyclist died when he struck the rear of a stopped vehicle. A passenger on the bike was also injured, but not seriously.

The biker fatally injured was riding a Harley-Davidson eastbound on Illinois Route 17 around 3:45 PM on Monday in unincorporated Kankakee. At that time the cyclist it the back of a 2006 Honda that stopped for a school bus. The collision ejected the victim and his passenger off the bike. The crash was strong enough to knock the Honda into another vehicle stopped in front of it.

The motorcyclist was taken to Riverside Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later. No one else was reportedly injured in the incident. The motorcycle rider was age 54, and the Illinois State Police is handling the investigation.

Other recent articles:

Motorcycle accident lawyers reach policy limits settlement

5 killed in a series of Illinois motorcycle crashes

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

As the School Year Begins, Officials Focus on Preventing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois

As our teens head back to school for another year, officials head back to the drawing board to figure out ways to help keep our teen drivers from being involved in a car accident in Illinois. In another effort to keep our young driver safe, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently teamed up with the Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois State Police (ISP) to kick off the fifth year of the Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program.

“Whether the issue is texting, speed, or distracted or impaired driving, the program is successful because teens are directly educating their peers about the hazards of irresponsible driving behavior, and the messages continue to resonate with one another,” said Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand the number of risks that our teen drivers face on our roadways. Their inexperience behind the wheel leaves them extremely vulnerable to serious traffic accidents. With the proper driving education and with the help of parents, teens can be taught the skills necessary to help keep them safe.

Currently, the state of Illinois requires that's its newly licensed drivers complete a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. This is a system that allows teen drivers to learn how to drive through a three stage process in which they must abide by a number of restrictions.

Illinois GDL program:

-15-year-old drivers: Drivers in this age group must always ride with a licensed parent or guardian. They must also be enrolled in a driver's education program and must pass the exams. They're not allowed to drive Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. On Thursday and Friday these drivers can drive until 11:00 p.m. A driver must hold this license for a minimum of nine months and complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving with 10 hours of the 50 occurring during the evening hours. Drivers that are 15-years-old are not allowed to use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

-Drivers Age ages 16- and 17-years-old: Driving is prohibited from Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for drivers in this age group. They're allowed to drive until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Drivers must maintain a conviction-free driving record for the six months before they turn 18 before they can graduate to the Full Licensing Phase. All drivers in this age group must wear a seat belt while driving and can only have one passenger in the front seat. Drivers in this age group are prohibited from using a cell phone.

-18- to 20-year-old drivers: A driver can now drive with normal unrestricted license privileges provided they've passed all of the other licensing stages. No driver under the age of 19 is allowed to use a cell phone while driving unless they're using it for emergency purposes.

"Teen drivers who are educated and informed, develop safe and responsible driving habits as adults - and that is a safety goal OTSD is already achieving," said ISP Col. Robert Haley.

More than 100 local high schools participated in the fifth year of the Operation Teen Safe Driving program in an attempt to help educate young drivers. These students participated in a number of school assemblies, accident enactment seminars, fatal accident simulations and other informational events.

Each school was able to fund the program through a $2,000 grant from the participating organizations. Each school then participated in a contest to determine who led the best and most effective peer-led teen safe driving program. Winning schools received prize money to help them fund post-prom events aimed at encouraging kids to stay sober this school year.

They were also invited to participate in the Ford Motor Company Fund’s Driving Skills for Life Ride and Drive event.

As teens head back to school this year, parents are urged to speak with the young driver's in their life about the importance of safe driving habits.

If you or your teen driver has been injured in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Expressways Experience Frequent Fatal Car Accidents in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, August 12, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Safe Driver Act of 2011 Could Increase Distracted Driving Laws in Illinois

Posted On: July 1, 2011 by Dave Abels

Illinois is already one of the states in the United States that has banned the use of cell phones by drivers in school and work zones and has banned all drivers from text messaging in an attempt to reduce the frequency of distracted driving car accidents in Illinois, according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration. While many motorists ignore these safe driving laws, they may soon have another force fighting their distracted driving habits. A proposed federal law. Introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., aims to federalize driving and cell phone usage. These types of laws are currently managed by individual states-- and sometimes even cities as is the case with Chicago's cell phone ban.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys hope that this proposed legislation will one day serve as additional ammo in the fight against distracted drivers. The proposed bill would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to set up a standard for the entire country that would prohibit hand-held cell phone use while driving.

“Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common,” Rep. McCarthy said. “With some basic commonsense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America.”

There are a few exclusions to this proposed law. Drivers would still be allowed to use voice-operated, vehicle-integrated devices, as well as voice-operated GPS systems. Even though there are cognitive distractions still present with hands-free devices, they pose a much less serious problem than using a hand-held device.

Under the proposed bill, the Department of Transportation would be required to conduct a study on distracted driving. This study would be required to focus on the issue of cognitive distraction and the impact of distraction on newly licensed, young drivers. Within two years of the completed study, the DOT would then be required to report its findings to Congress. Recommendations for revising the minimum distracted driving prohibitions and penalties must accompany this report. These newly proposed minimum distracted driving prohibitions would be mandatory for all states. Each state would then be allotted two years to comply with the law or lose a quarter of their federal highway funding.

Currently, each state is able to create their own laws regulating cell phone and texting use. Some states offer strict laws to prevent distracted driving while others have absolutely no restrictions at all. A majority of states ban teenagers from using cell phones while driving. Texting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is forbidden in some 30 states. If this proposed bill becomes law, the entire country would be put under a seamless law that would require all motorists to follow it or face the consequences.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 5,500 people died because of car accidents that involved a distracted driver in 2009. These accidents accounted for roughly 1 in 6 of all motor-vehicle accident related fatalities that year.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

Additional Resources:

Safe Drivers Act of 2011 Introduced to Congress, by Matt Keegan, Auto Trends Magazine

More Blog Entries:

Website Dedicated to Teen Driver Education and Reducing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, June 26, 2011

NHTSA Releases Stats for Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, June 24, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

A rash of Illinois motorcycle accidents leaves 5 riders dead

It has been a dangerous week of Chicago area motorcycle crashes as a string of collisions have the claimed the lives of five people.

A 37 year-old woman was killed in Dolton, Illinois after a man driving a Ford SUV failed to yield to her before taking a left turn, causing her to collide into the SUV. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the motorist involved in SUV vs. motorcycle crash, who was driving with his 16 year-old nephew, exited his vehicle, removed his license plate, and attempted to leave the scene after the accident. A group of residents were able to restrain the man until police arrived, however, and he was soon placed under arrest.

According to 2008 nationwide statistics from the NSTSA, these types of accidents, where an automobile driver taking a left turn fails to yield to an oncoming motorcyclist, accounted for 41% of all fatal accidents involving a motorcycle and another car. This type of collision is particularly dangerous because the rider’s momentum continues as their vehicle comes to a sudden halt, resulting in them being launched headfirst into the street at a high velocity.

In another incident, a 26 year-old man and a 23 year-old woman were killed in Wheeling after the motorcycle they were riding lost control and struck a utility box. The Chicago Daily Herald is reporting that prior to the crash, Buffalo Grove police attempted to pull over the man and his passenger after they sped away from a gas station on the 200 block of Milwaukee Avenue. After seeing the officer’s emergency lights, the pair sped away at what was described as a high rate of speed. As is protocol, the officer did not pursue the riders and alerted the Wheeling police that a speeding motorcycle was headed their way.

Soon after, at about 3:07 a.m., Wheeling police responded to a crash at the intersection of Milwaukee Road and Center Avenue where the riders were found dead. It appears that the riders, who were not wearing helmets at the time, were traveling at a right rate of speed when the driver lost control. Police are still working on reconstructing exactly how the crash occurred.

The Chicago Tribune reported on two other accidents where motorcyclists were killed as well. The first occurred in Glenview, Illinois when a 26 year-old man failed to obey a stop sign on Magnolia Street before attempting a left turn onto East Lake Avenue. A driver traveling eastbound down the center lane struck the rider, who was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. The other accident reported in the Tribune involved a 51 year-old man who died after rear-ending a car on the Dan Ryan expressway and losing control of his vehicle.

Summers are traditionally a dangerous time for riders in Illinois. After the long winter, motorcyclists come out in droves to take advantage of the state’s warm weather and lack of mandatory helmet laws. In fact, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the number of registered motorcycles in Illinois has risen 76% since 1999 to go along with the 26% increase in fatalities during that same period.

While motorcyclists cannot control the negligence of automobile drivers on the road, there are a number of things they can do to hopefully reduce their injuries:

• WEAR A HELMET! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that wearing a helmet saved the lives of 1,829 riders in 2008
• Drive defensively and do not assume other drivers can see you or are aware of your presence. The NHTSA reports that the majority of multiple-vehicle motorcycle accidents happen because the motorist does not see the rider
• Make sure your lights are functioning so people can see you
• Don’t drive too fast. Even experienced riders can lose control

As always, the lawyers at Abels & Annes are available for consultations free of charge. If you are a motorcycle rider who has been injured by a negligent driver, call (866) 99-ABELS to speak directly to a lawyer now.

Click below to read more recent motorcycle blogs:

Decrease in number of Chicago motorcycle accidents

Abels & Annes reach policy limits settlement for Illinois motorcycle rider

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer