Driver Runs Stop Sign, Injures 4 Before Fleeing the Scene

Early Saturday morning, a taxi cab driver and three passengers were injured when they became unwilling victims in a Chicago hit-and-run accident. The crash occurred at the intersection of Congress Parkway and Ogden Avenue at just after 2:00 a.m. and witnesses say a Ford pickup truck was to blame.

The truck was reportedly traveling east on Congress Avenue in the early morning hours as it approached Ogden Avenue. There is a stop sign controlling eastbound traffic but the truck allegedly failed to stop and entered the intersection, striking the rear passenger door of the taxi. After the collision, the driver of the truck fled the scene without stopping to check on the other car or without speaking to police, who responded to the crash. Ambulance crews transported the passengers of the taxi and the driver to area hospitals for treatment will all expected to survive.

Police officers are looking for the driver of the Ford pickup truck that caused the crash as part of their investigation.

If the facts stated so far prove to be true, the driver of the truck in this accident was a danger to himself and others. Not only did he fail to stop at a stop sign but he also fled the scene of an accident without checking on those in the other car. Both of these are serious crimes in Illinois and can carry a jail sentence, depending on all the factors involved, if a driver gets convicted.

No one knows why the driver in this accident fled the scene after causing a crash, and that is the case in most hit-and-run accidents. Experts believe that some of the most common reasons drivers flee are that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the driver did not have a valid driver's license or insurance, or running from police for another offense. Occasionally we see accidents where a driver did not even realize that he caused a crash or that the driver was not wearing necessary eye glasses and so was unable to see a car in his path. Regardless of the reason, any driver that causes a collision and then leaves the scene before being cleared by police is in violation of the law.

After a hit-and-run accident leaves an injured victim behind, it can be difficult to find help. When the driver cannot be located and you are hurt, it may feel like no one is on your side. That does not have to be the case because Illinois law provides options to victims of these crashes. If the driver is eventually apprehended, you may be able to bring a claim for your damages against that driver that can include claims for your medical bills and pain and suffering. Sometimes the police never locate the at-fault driver, though, and in those cases you still may have a claim. Many drivers have coverage for hit-and-run accidents through their own insurance polices. This is a special type of coverage known as uninsured/underinsured coverage and is designed to provide you with relief when you are involved in a crash due to another person's negligence.

At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are Chicago auto accident attorneys with decades worth of experience representing victims of hit-and-run crashes. We know how devastating these accidents can be and how they can affect and entire family. That is why we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day to take your call and provide you with a free, no obligation telephone consultation. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we want to help you on your path to recovery, so please call us and let us help you today. You can reach us locally at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442.

Prior Blog Entries:

Crash Near Joliet Leaves 1 Man Dead, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published July 26, 2013.

Preteen Killed Crossing the Street in Harvey, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published July 24, 2013.

Resources:

Four Injured In Near West Side Hit-And-Run Crash, CBS Chicago/Chicago Sun-Times Media Wire, published July 27, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

DUI Driver Who Fled Scene of Fatal Crash Gets 7 Year Prison Sentence

An Aurora man will serve seven years behind bars for striking two and killing one with his van back in 2010. The 33-year-old man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death, to which he pleaded guilty in February of this year.

The prosecution stated that the defendant had been drinking on October 25, 2010 and later chose to get behind the wheel and drive. The defendant approached Grant Street in North Aurora where a man and woman were walking around 2:00 a.m. The defendant struck both pedestrians with his van and fled the scene without speaking with police or even checking to see if his victims were alive.

The female victim, a 22-year-old Cicero resident, died as a result of the accident. She had been walking with her boyfriend, now 25 years old, when both were hit. The man survived the crash with serious injuries, including injuries to his shoulder, knee, and head with a knee replacement needed at some future point.

The defendant driver of the van turned himself in to authorities as an Aurora police station approximately two hours after the incident. His blood alcohol content was measured so that the level at the time of the crash could be determined. Based upon the results, prosecutors contended that the defendant had a BAC between .10 and 0.18, higher than the legal limit of .08. Armed with this information, the defendant was charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash.

The presiding judge sentenced the defendant to seven years, four of which were for the charge of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death, and the other three for aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. The sentences are concurrent, meaning that the defendant will have to serve one and then the other back-to-back, totaling a seven year prison sentence behind bars.

This accident illustrates how quickly one or more bad decisions can turn deadly. A car may be a means of transportation but when in the wrong hands, it can also be a weapon. Here, a driver admitted that he had been drinking and that he chose to drive anyway. Even if he had not caused an accident, he would have committed a crime simply by operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Not only did this man drive drunk, but he also struck two pedestrians, killing one and seriously injuring the other.

Illinois makes it a crime to leave the scene of an accident and it is a felony if that accident results in death or serious bodily injury. The rationale behind this law is that if a motorist stops and stays at the scene, the motorist may be able to call for help, increasing the chance of a victim surviving or limiting the extent of injuries suffered. When a driver fails to remain at the scene, that driver can face serious time behind bars, like the defendant in this accident now faces.

If you have been the victim of a car accident, you should know that you are afforded legal protections and rights and that you may be entitled to a financial recovery. Call the Chicago DUI injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free telephone consultation and let us help you understand your options. There is never an obligation associated with our consultation and we have a lawyer standing by now to take your call at (312) 924-7575. After an accident, you deserve to have legal representation fighting for your rights. Call us now and let us fight for you.

Prior Blog Entries:

Driver Distracted By Cell Phone Charging Cord Causes Fatal Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 20, 2013.

Woman Killed After Man Leaves Car Running, Son Accidentally Puts it in Gear, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published August 19, 2013.

Resources:

Seven years for Aurora motorist in fatal hit and run, by Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, published August 21, 2013.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Police Officer Killed While Going to Scene of Accident

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A police officer was killed after he lost control of his patrol car and hit an electrical pole. The officer was responding to a two-car traffic accident at the time, reports a NYC Car Accident Lawyer. It is unknown what caused the accident, but heavy rains may have been to blame as visibility was limited. The officer leaves behind a wife and 4-year old son.
The officer was a well-respected member of the Jemison police department. The chief of the police department commended the officer for his superior service to the community and wishes the family well as they try to cope with this tragedy. The officer was pronounced dead on the scene when police and rescue arrived, says a New York Car Accident Lawyer. It is unknown at this time where funeral arrangements have been made or when the funeral will be held.
In addition to being a superior officer, the chief of the department went on to say that all police department should be so lucky as to have officers as dedicated to the job and to their community as this officer. Many in the town of Jemison are surprised and saddened by this tragedy, especially since the officer was on his way to help those in need, according to a New York Injury Lawyer. The officer was a young family man with his entire career ahead of him. Those in Jemison are now thinking about the family and how they will cope with this tragedy.
Little is known about the two-car accident the police officer was responding to at the time of his accident. It was reported that those involved in the accident were injured, but the extent of those injuries is not known. It is also unknown if those injured at still in the hospital for their injuries or if they have been released. The two-car accident happened around 6pm on a Saturday evening. It was raining heavily that night which could have been the cause of both accidents, explains a New York Injury Lawyer. Heavy rain can cause limited visibility and slick driving conditions for motorists.

Stephen Bilkis & Associates with its New York Car Accident Lawyers has easy to find locations throughout the NY area including Neponsit, NY. Our attorneys can give you advice about personal injury caused by another's negligence. Without a NY Car Accident Lawyer you will not be cognizant of all your rights and could be at a great disadvantage.
When facing legal troubles, call a New York Car Accident Attorney to ease your stress and anxiety. A New York City Car Accident Attorney can help you throughout the legal process.

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