Drag Racing Leaves 1 Teen Dead, 2 Charged in Crime

Police who were investigating a Monday night crash in Gurnee now believe that the incident began when two cars were drag racing on Illinois Route 120. One of the drivers lost control, drove through the median and the car rolled over. Once the car came to a rest, it was clear that all the occupants were injured. A 16-year-old girl died from her injuries.

A Honda and a Ford Focus are believed to have been racing on the highway with both vehicles being driven by teenage males. Authorities believe that the 2004 Honda attempted to pass the 2000 Ford and was unsuccessful. The driver of the Honda made a second attempt and lost control, causing that vehicle to crash.

In addition to the 17-year-old male driver, there were three passengers in the Honda. A 16-year-old female and a 20-year-old male were backseat passengers and both are believed to have been ejected from the car upon impact. A front seat 18-year-old male, the 17-year-old driver, and the 20-year-old male were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where their conditions were not know.

The Ford was reportedly driven by a 19-year-old male and it was loaded with a 13-year-old female, a 15-year-old female, and a 16-year-old male. The Ford did not crash and there were no injuries in that vehicle.

Friends say that the teenagers were friends and that the drivers met up at a gas station in Grayslake earlier that day. The occupants of the Honda are believed to have been swimming at a friend's pool earlier in the day and it is not clear where they were heading at the time of the crash.

Now both drivers face charges related to the incident. The driver of the Honda has been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated street racing, and driving without a valid license and without insurance. The driver of the Ford has been charged with aggravated street racing and having an expired vehicle registration.

Drag racing is incredibly dangerous for those involved and for other drivers on the road. It takes only a slight error or over-correction to send a speeding car out of control and into another vehicle or barrier. When this happens, people are likely to get hurt. In addition to the criminal and traffic charges pending against the two drivers in this case, they may face civil claims by those who were injured or by the family of the young girl who lost her life. The law allows victims to bring a claim for recovery against a negligent driver so that the driver can be held responsible for his actions.

If you have been injured in an accident where another driver acted negligently, you may have a claim for your injuries. Call the Chicago car accident injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us provide you with a free telephone consultation. We are standing by now to take your call at (855) 529-2442 so please do not hesitate.

At Abels & Annes, we only represent injury victims and we fight for every one of our clients. Call us today and let us fight for you.

Prior Blog Entries:

Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Settle Left Turn Case for $118,000, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 25, 2013.

Abels & Annes, P.C. Settles Car Accident Case for $100,000, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 24, 2013.

Resources:

2 charged with drag-racing in crash that killed Lake Co. teen, by Ruth Fuller, Dan Hinkel and Lisa Black, Chicago Tribune, published June 25, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Chicago Hit-And-Run Crash Leaves 1 Dead

Chicago police are searching for the driver of a silver truck that is believed to have been involved in a hit -and-run accident early Sunday morning.

The crash occurred in the 1600 block of North Kostner Avenue on the northwest side of the city and involved three vehicles, including the silver truck that has been described as a Toyota, possibly a Tacoma. Police believe that the driver of the Toyota truck collided with a Toyota Camry and a Hyundai Elantra, causing a significant crash that seriously damaged at least one of the vehicles.

A 25-year-old man was behind the wheel of the Camry and died at the scene of the crash. There was a 17-year-old male passenger in the Camry who was injured but is expected to survive after being transported and treated at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Reportedly, there were two people in the Hyundai and neither appeared to sustain injuries.

The driver of the Toyota truck fled the scene after the crash without providing his information to the other drivers or the police. In Illinois, leaving the scene of an accident that causes death or serious bodily injury is a felony and police are searching for that driver at this time.

Hit-and-run drivers break the law when they leave the scene of a crash, but despite the risk of serious charges against them, many Illinois drivers continue to flee and leave behind victims of crashes, many who may be unable to seek medical help themselves. If a fleeing driver leaves an unconscious or seriously injured victim behind, the chances that medical help will arrive in a timely manner decrease, putting the victim at a much higher risk of death or permanent injury. It is also every driver's duty to act with care and caution towards others on the road and leaving an injured victim without assistance directly violates this principle, further threatening public safety.

With the addition of street side cameras and other recording devices, more of these hit-and-run accidents are being captured on film and more offenders are being apprehended. These drivers may be prosecuted for criminal violations, traffic offenses, or both, but that is not always the extent of their liability. In many cases, the victim of a hit-and-run crash may be able to bring a civil claim for their personal injuries against an at-fault driver so that compensation can be obtained. These civil cases generally seek monetary payments to cover expenses like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Even in a hit-and-run accident where the fleeing driver is never found, a victim may still have a valid claim for their damages. Here, a victim or a victim's family may be able to bring a claim against their own insurance company for their losses through a type of claim known as an uninsured motorist claim. This protects Illinois drivers in instances where an unknown or an uninsured driver causes an accident that results in injuries.

If you have been the victim of an automobile accident, whether or not the other driver is known, you may have a claim for your damages. The Chicago hit-and-run injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. offer all accident victims a free telephone consultation at (312) 924-7575 so that you can learn about your legal options for a recovery. We care about accident victims so we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call; we are here for you when you need help the most. Call us today and let us help you get a recovery you deserve.

Prior Blog Entries:

Fatal Crash in Long Grove Leaves 1 Dead, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published September 6, 2013.

Nissan Plans Self Driving Cars by 2020 With Goal of Crash-Free, Fatality-Free Vehicles, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 28, 2013.

Resources:

Police: Man, 25, killed in Northwest Side hit-and-run, Chicago Tribune, published September 8, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Fatal Crash in Long Grove Leaves 1 Dead

Authorities in the north suburb of Long Grove were called to the scene of an accident last night. When they arrived at the area of Illinois 83 and Westmoreland Drive, they determined that a pickup truck and a minivan collided near the intersection, causing serious injuries and damage to at least one vehicle. The driver of one car died and her passenger was critically injured while the conditions of those in the other vehicle are not presently known.

At this time, it is not clear why the two cars collided and whether either driver is at fault. In the area where the crash occurred, Illinois 83 is a four lane divided road that intersects with Westmoreland Drive in a "T" intersection where drivers can turn from north or southbound I-83 onto eastbound Westmoreland Drive only. The speed limit on I-83 is 45 miles per hour and on the quiet Westmoreland, drivers are limited to traveling only 25 miles per hour.

Officials have been able to confirm that a female was driving a blue 2011 Honda CRV and that this vehicle collided with a red 2007 Ford F10 pickup truck. The driver of the CRV died at the scene and a female passenger in her car was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville in critical condition.

There are hundreds if not thousands of factors that can lead to or cause a car crash and in many cases, it is the combination of several factors that actually cause a collision to occur. In 2011 alone, there were over 281,000 car accidents within the state of Illinois and in those accidents, 918 people lost their lives. An additional 84,172 people involved in car accidents sustained personal injuries. This means that statistically, about 2 percent of all Illinois residents are involved in a car accident every year, meaning that the chances are high that you know someone who has recently been a victim of an accident or had their family affected by a car crash.

To reduce the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities, people on all sides of transportation are taking steps to increase awareness and safety. Legislators have enacted tough laws against driving and driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Additionally, police officers look for traffic violations and attempt to curb unsafe behavior by issuing citations or warnings to offending motorists. Hopefully, if a driver is warned about speeding or running a red light, the driver will alter his or her behavior before a collision happens.

Car manufacturers have also taken significant steps in recent years to increase safety features on cars. Many modern vehicles have been designed to warn drivers when a car is in their blind spots, when a driver starts to veer outside of a designated lane, and when a driver is too close to a vehicle in front of him or her. In the event of an impact, most cars now have airbags and exterior bodies designed to absorb an impact, leaving the passengers protected from as much harm as possible.

If you have been the victim of an auto accident and you sustained injuries, call the Chicago car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free, no obligation telephone consultation. We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. Call us and let us help you today.

Prior Blog Entries:

Nissan Plans Self Driving Cars by 2020 With Goal Of Crash-Free, Fatality-Free Vehicles, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 28, 2013.

DUI Driver Who Fled Scene of Fatal Crash Gets 7 Year Prison Sentence, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 23, 2013.

Resources:

Authorities: 1 killed, 1 critically hurt in Long Grove wreck, by Rosemary Regina Sobol, Chicago Tribune, published September 5, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Woman Killed After Man Leaves Car Running, Son Accidentally Puts it in Gear

Authorities believe a 58-year-old woman was in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was killed on a Thursday morning. The woman was walking on a sidewalk in the 4400 block of South Saint Louis Avenue in the Brightton Park neighborhood when a truck crashed through a garage and struck her.

Police say that a pickup truck was loaded with construction materials or metal scraps as it sat in an alley. The driver exited the truck with the truck in park to pick up something from the alley. Witnesses state that the driver's son, a 13-year-old boy, was in the truck and accidentally put the truck in gear as he sat in the front passenger seat. The truck began to roll forward, prompting the 13-year-old to climb into the driver's seat and attempt to stop the truck. Though he attempted to use the brake pedal, the teen hit the gas instead, sending the truck flying into a garage. The truck crashed through the garage and struck the woman on the other side.

The truck crossed the street and then hit another garage before colliding with a brick wall, where it came to a rest. Authorities were called and emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Mt. Sinai Hospital where she underwent treatment for several hours before dying of her injuries in the early afternoon.

The driver of the car received citations for leaving a vehicle unattended while running and for driving on a suspended or revoked license. At this point, there is no indication that the teen will face any charges but authorities state that they are still investigating the incident.

Accidents can happen to anyone on any given day. But describing incidents like this one as accidents is not absolutely accurate in many cases. Here, there is no indication that either the man or his son intended to hurt anyone, including the female victim, but that is exactly what happened. Though the driver may have not had ill will towards the woman, by leaving his truck running in an alley and by letting his unlicensed son to remain in the truck where the son could operate the vehicle, the driver risked the safety of others in the area. Additionally, the driver at issue did not have a valid license at the time of the crash and therefore could not legally drive, yet he chose to drive anyway. Even after the state of Illinois determined that he was not legally allowed to drive, the man determined that he could get behind the wheel and drive anyway. His actions created a dangerous situation that cost an innocent woman her life.

Regardless of what happens with the man's traffic or criminal charges brought by the state, the surviving family members of the victim may be able to bring a civil claim for their losses. These claims are often referred to as wrongful death cases and they allow families to obtain financial compensation for their losses, including the loss of companionship they are forced to endue as the result of their loved one's death.

If your loved one has been the victim of an accident, you may be able to obtain relief for your losses. Contact the Chicago wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free case consultation. At Abels & Annes, we focus our entire practice on bringing relief to the families to accident victims. We are here to take your call 24 hours a day at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442 and there is never an obligation with your first phone call. We advance all litigation costs and we will never take a fee unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf. Call us today and let us help you after an accident.

Prior Blog Entries:

Unlicensed Driver Sentenced to 4 Years for Reckless Homicide, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 15, 2013.

Elderly Driver Crashes Into Liquor Store, Causes Fire, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 12, 2013.

Resources:

Metal picker truck hits, critically hurts woman on SW Side, Chicago Tribune, published August 15, 2013.

Woman Dies After Being Hit By Pickup Truck, CBS Chicago, published August 15, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Lincoln Square Hit-And-Run Leaves Pedestrian Dead

Just before 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, police received a call about an unresponsive man in the road in Lincoln Square. Now, police believe the man was the victim of a hit-run-driver. The victim's injuries were so severe that he died at the scene.

The incident occurred in the 2100 block of West Wilson Avenue on the city's far north side. Police stated that no driver was present on the scene when they arrived to explain the incident and the man was unresponsive before he died. An autopsy on Sunday confirmed that victim died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in a collision with a car but at this time, it is not clear the type of car or who was driving at the time of the crash.

In Illinois, leaving the scene of an automobile accident that results in death or serious bodily injury is a felony charge, meaning that in addition to having a driver's license revoked and fines imposed, anyone found guilty of the offense can face serious time in prison. The laws are very harsh because when an uninjured person leaves the scene and leaves another behind who is too hurt to call for help, the authorities may not be alerted and that victim may die while awaiting needed medical care.

In addition to a charge for leaving the scene of an accident, a driver that causes a fatal crash might face traffic offenses brought by the State of Illinois. Often, these include failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision, failing to yield the right of way, and failing to exercise due care for others. Sometimes, multiple charges are treated as separate offenses for sentencing purposes meaning that a driver may face even greater time behind bars or an even greater financial fine.

If the threat of criminal and traffic prosecution weren't enough, offenders who leave the scene of an accident may also face civil claims for the injuries they inflict on others. These claims can include assertions for medical bills and treatment as well as time missed from work. Where a victim is killed, a claim can still be brought by the victim's surviving family members and can be made for the losses they suffer, which is massive.

With all that is placed at stake, it may be surprising that hit-and-run crashes are relatively common in both Chicago and Illinois. Some drivers flee after an accident because they do not have valid insurance or a driver's license. Others are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and get scared of the charges they will face. Still other drivers just get scared and take off because they are afraid of what they've done. Regardless of the reason, there is never a valid excuse to leave the scene of an accident and leave victims behind to suffer.

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may have a claim for your damages. Many accident victims are unaware that they have a valid claim even if the at-fault driver is never found. When a driver is found, a claim can be brought against that driver personally or his insurance company for your loss and your suffering. When the at-fault driver is never found, you can still have a claim against your own insurance company. The majority of Illinois motorists carry a type of insurance that protects them in the case of a hit-and-run crash and that will provide financial compensation in the event of an accident that causes injury.

If you have been the victim of an automobile accident, call the Chicago hit-and-run lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us provide you with a free case consultation. We are standing by 24 hours a day to take your call at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. At Abels & Annes, there is never a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf. Let us put our decades worth of experience behind your claim so that we may obtain the highest possible award in your case.

Prior Blog Entries:

Fatal South Side Chicago Hit-And-Run Leads to Arrest, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 1, 2013.

Driver Runs Stop Sign, Injures 4 Before Fleeing the Scene, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published July 29, 2013.

Resources:

Man Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash In Lincoln Square, CBS Chicago/Sun-Times Media Wire, published August 3, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Rear-End Collision with Semi Leaves Chicagoan Dead

A 23-year-old driver of an Oldsmobile lost his life early Saturday morning in a collision with a semi truck in Chicago.

Early reports indicate that the driver was behind the semi on northbound State Street when the semi began to slow in anticipation of a left turn. It is not clear whether the semi truck driver used his turn signal or otherwise indicated his intention.

The driver of the Oldsmobile reportedly did not slow down enough to avoid a collision and struck the rear of the semi's trailer, causing significant damage to the vehicle. The driver was transported to John H. Stroger, Jr. hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Collisions between semi trucks and standard vehicles are often deadly. The most deadly car versus truck collisions are known as underride collisions, where a portion of the car or other vehicle is forced underneath a portion of the truck and/or trailer. Both rear end collisions and collisions from the side are likely to cause a degree of an underride crash. It is unclear at this time whether the collision that killed the Oldsmobile involved any underriding of his vehicle.

As a result of the serious injuries caused by collisions like this in the past, most semis are now required to have underride guards on the rear of their trailers. Though they can differ to some degree, most underride guards consist of a horizontal steel bar that hangs below the lower edge of the rear of a trailer. The bar is designed to withstand the force generated in a collision and prevent a vehicle from sliding underneath the trailer. Keeping a vehicle from being forced beneath a trailer means that the top of the vehicle is less likely to be sheared off, reducing the number of serious injuries, including decapitation.

Though the underride guards have improved safety, a new study suggests the guards do not do enough. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ("IIHS") recently tested several models of underride guards and recorded the results. What IIHS learned was that the force created in many rear-end collisions is too great for the guards to be as effective as intended, meaning that stronger guards should be used for increased safety.

Also important, the study found that the guards were most successful at preventing vehicles from traveling under a trailer when the vehicle hit the rear of the trailer in a head-on manner. The guards were much less successful when a vehicle struck it at an angle or from the side. This means that drivers who rear end trailers while changing lanes are not as protected in a collision as those who strike trailers directly from behind.

This new study shows why it is important for safety devices to be evaluated and reviewed on a regular basis. Drivers should be aware that the guards are not effective in every type of collision and that underride collisions still occur far too often. The best thing any driver can do is be aware of the surroundings, pay attention to traffic, and make sure you you leave plenty of distance between your vehicle and a vehicle in front of you.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Victorville Two-Car Crash Leaves Seven Injured

Posted On: August 24, 2011 by Ross Jurewitz

Seven people suffered injuries, two of which were critically injured, in a Victorville car crash that occurred on August 17, 2011, around 11:56 p.m. at Hook Boulevard and Rosemary Drive in Victorville, about two miles west of Interstate 15 (I-15)and Roy Rogers Drive. According to San Bernardino County Fire Department dispatchers, the two persons who suffered critical injuries in this two- vehicle wreck were airlifted to a nearby hospital to receive medical treatment.

The other five injured victims were transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for the injuries suffered. Based on the limited information provided, the cause of the accident is not clear. There are several questions here. Who caused the accident? Who was at fault? Did alcohol or drugs play a part? Was one of the drivers fatigued at the time of the crash? Was speed or distraction a factor? Was there an auto defect or mechanical malfunction that caused the driver to lose control? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine how or why this car collision occurred.

The injured victims should seek counsel from an experienced San Bernardino County car wreck lawyer who would advise them about their legal rights and options. All the injured victims may be eligible for a compensation to cover medical, treatment and hospital costs, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, and other accident-related expenses.

Our personal injury law office sincerely hopes and prays that the injuries suffered by all the victims heal soon.

Ross Jurewitz represents people injured in San Bernardino County car accidents and is the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured or killed in auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a car crash in Victorville, please order your free copy of the California car accident book. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

San Diego Accident Lawyer

High Desert Crash Leaves At Least One Dead

Posted On: July 14, 2011 by Ross Jurewitz

At least one person died in a serious three-car collision that occurred on July 11, 2011, around 1:47 p.m. on Highway 18 (SR-18) at Mescalero Road in High Desert.. According to the responding California Highway Patrol Officers, this fatal accident occurred near the Los Angeles County line.

From the present information, it is unclear what caused this major car accident that involved 3 vehicles. Since it was a multiple-vehicle car accident, any of the drivers involved may be responsible for causing the accident. It would be interesting for the investigating officers to determine whether any of the drivers was driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug. Though the investigation is in process, the victims should consult with a Los Angeles County car accident lawyer to know about their legal rights and options.

An experienced car crash lawyer will help the deceased’s family members obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of anticipated income, loss of love, care and companionship, and other accident-related damages. The personal injury attorney would work in cooperation with the investigating officers to assure that the at-fault party is apprehended and brought to justice.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved the victim for such heart rendering loss.

Ross Jurewitz represents people killed in Los Angeles County car accidents and is the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured or killed in auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in car collisions in Los Angeles County, please order your free copy of the California car accident book. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

San Diego Accident Lawyer