Wrong Way Driver on Chicago Skyway Causes Crash that Injures 4

Home > Car Accident > Wrong Way Driver on Chicago Skyway Causes Crash that Injures 4

A serious collision occurred when a northbound Honda drove in the southbound lanes last week on the Chicago Skyway, according to police. The Honda struck a southbound pickup truck near 84th Street and caused a violent impact that pushed the pickup truck into a concrete barrier.

The driver of the pickup truck was injured and was treated at South Shore Hospital and later discharged. In addition to the driver, two passengers were in the Honda and all were injured and treated at various hospitals with the driver reportedly suffering a broken arm. A female passenger has been described as "gravely injured" and it is not clear whether she will survive.

It is not yet clear what caused the Honda driver to travel in the wrong direction but police say the driver will be issued citations.

Though it is not clear if alcohol was involved, alcohol is a common factor in many of the wrong-way collisions that occur in the United States every year. A driver under the influence is less aware of other motorists, including the direction they are traveling, and statistically pay less attention to road signs, making it easier to drive against traffic without realizing it.

Wrong-way collisions are often very violent and severe because each vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction, making the force of the impact large. This type of collision is also likely to produce injuries to the drivers and passengers of both vehicles.

Wrong-way collisions can often occur when a driver is inattentive or just not paying attention. Distraction may come from inside the car or out and can include things like phone conversations, texting, other passengers, children, arguments, the radio, checking email, and even a GPS system. When a driver is distracted, the driver is a danger to those on the road and is more likely to cause an accident than if he was focused and attentive on the road.

Whether they are caused by alcohol, distraction, or something else, wrong-way collisions are dangerous and often deadly, and the person injured or killed is often not the distracted driver. In addition to serious criminal charges, a distracted driver may also face civil claims for the injuries caused in a collision. Both people in another vehicle and passengers in the distracted driver's vehicle may be able to bring a claim if they are injured in a wrong-way crash.

If you have been injured as the result of a wrong-way collision, please contact the attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. for a free, no-obligation consultation. As Chicago car crash lawyers, we only represent victims in car accidents and we never represent insurance companies. We know how to fight for a recovery and we are ready to fight for you. Call us today at (312) 924-7575 to discuss your case. If you want to meet with us in person and you are too injured, we also offer free in-home and in-hospital consultations.

Prior Blog Entries:

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

Semi Truck Crash Leaves 1 Dead in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published May 21, 2013.

Resources:

4 hurt in wrong-way Skyway crash, Chicago Tribune, published May 23, 2013.

Female gravely injured in Skyway crash, Chicago Sun-Times, published May 23, 2013.

Photo Credit: Image ID: 1081557, code1name, stock.xchng.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Off Duty Police Officer Kills 2 College Students in Chicago DUI Wrong Way Crash

Last month, two college students were killed tragically when their car collided head on with a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction. The two young men were traveling southbound on Lake Shore Drive at around 4 in the morning on March 15 when an off duty police officer's Chevy Trailblazer slammed into their black Jeep. The officer, Terrell Garrett, was allegedly severely intoxicated, which could explain why he was driving on the wrong side of the road at the time of the collision.

According to statements made by prosecutors at the March 18 hearing, Garrett allegedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.184 at the time he was apprehended, which is more than double the legal limit. He was reportedly celebrating his birthday the day when the accident occurred. He faces two felony counts of reckless homicide and two felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence, the judge set his bail at $500,000.

The North Chicago Police Department released a statement that they, “immediately relieved Officer Terrell Garrett of his police powers and has placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Chicago Police Department’s investigation.”

According to state records, approximately 50,000 drivers are taken into custody for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs in Illinois annually. Nearly 80 percent of these drivers are first-time DUI offenders. However, as this tragic case demonstrates, even the first time driving under the influence can result in catastrophic injuries or death. Additionally, it is important to note that the charges relating to DUI are handled through the criminal process. In many cases, victims of these tragic crashes may be able to make additional civil claims against the drunk driver.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident that was caused by an impaired driver, you may have a claim against the driver who caused the accident. You could potentially recover financial compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and benefits, any resulting disability, and a variety of other damages. Additionally, if you lost a family member to an accident that was caused by an impaired driver, you may be eligible to bring a wrongful death action. An experienced Chicago car accident attorney can discuss your potential claims with you in order to determine your best course of action.

If you were injured or a close relative was killed in a DUI or other traffic accident in Chicago, the experienced and diligent attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to answer your questions and help you file your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Our committed lawyers have years of experience advocating on behalf of clients who were injured by impaired motorists throughout Chicago. To speak with a dedicated car accident attorney, please give the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. a call at (312) 924-7575. You can also contact us through our website.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Deadly Chicago area auto accident caused by wrong way driver

Two people have died in an Illinois car crash caused by a man who drove his red Porsche the wrong way down an Illinois tollway. The man had allegedly been arrested for DUI twice in the past, the Chicago Tribune is reporting. Police are still trying to figure out why the man was driving recklessly and why there was U.S. currency flying out of the care before the accident.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the collision occurred near Lisle, Illinois on I-88, in between I-355 and Route 53, during the early evening on Saturday. The 43 year-old driver of the Porsche was heading east when he used an emergency vehicle turnaround to enter the westbound lanes, and continued to head east. Soon after, the Porsche collided with a 2004 Toyota Corolla carrying three people, killing two and placing one in critical condition.

Illinois State Police identified the two victims as a 37 year-old woman and her 74 year-old father. A 42 year-old passenger is in critical condition. The family was on their way to a mosque when the crash occurred, and other family members headed to the same destination were close enough to hear the collision and make an attempt to pull the victims from the wreckage.

The Chicago Tribune later reported that witnesses saw money flying out of the Porsche as it was driving down the road. One witness said that when she passed by the driver, she saw the man grab a handful of cash from his passenger seat and throw it out the window. She also saw multiple cars pull off to the shoulder of the road in what she assumed was an effort to pick up the ejected money.

The man’s previous DUI arrests were drug, not alcohol related, the Tribune article stated, although he was convicted in 2010 for transporting open alcohol containers after police found three empty beer cans in his car. The man had been a practicing dentist in Naperville, Illinois, but had quit around a year ago because he said he was losing money. On July 28 of this year, his mortgage company filed foreclosure documents on his Naperville, Illinois home.

No matter how many precautions you may take while driving, there are always factors beyond your control that can cause serious injury or death, such as the wrong way motorist in this accident.

It has not been reported if a Chicago injury lawyer is involved in this case yet or if a civil lawsuit has been filed.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Doctor Operates On Boy's Wrong Eye

No doctor is perfect and they should be held accountable when they do things like operate on the wrong body part. If Jesse Matlock has permanent vision impairment, or now has two (2) wondering eyes, he should be properly compensated for that loss. If the insurance company lobbyists have their way, then helpless victims like Jesse Matlock my not be properly compensation.  This, to me, is a perfect example as to why tort reform is a path that Illinois and this country should not take.

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Tractor Trailers Often Make Improper Turns From The Wrong Lane Resulting In Catastrophic Consequences

Next » Posted On: March 7, 2011 by Jeffrey M. Reiff Tractor Trailers Often Make Improper Turns From The Wrong Lane Resulting In Catastrophic Consequences

Many time each year our Philadelphia car accident and trucking accident law firm is contacted by victims and families of victims of catastrophic trucking accidents. A common scenario seems to exist when a tractor trailer suddenly makes a right hand turn from the left hand lane resulting in a serious collision. In many of the cases, our accident reconstructionists and engineers were able to prove that the actions of the truck operator were not consistent with a commercial driver’s manual and training. Specifically, the commercial driver’s manual states that when a tractor trailer operator moves the tractor to the left prior to turning right, he or she should keep the trailer in the right lane. By doing so, the tractor trailer compensates for the off track trailer unit by blocking the right lane thus preventing a collision. Many times trucking companies and their lawyers will argue that the car tried to squeeze by in the right and the tractor trailer operator was not at fault. Trucking accidents with small cars often result in catastrophic injuries and many times death.

If you are injured by a large 18 wheel truck or semi-truck, you have the legal right to hold the truck drivers and trucking companies responsible for the harm caused by the negligence or non-compliance with safety regulations. The experienced Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have the experience and resources to properly prepare truck accident claims and our track record of success speaks for itself.

The experienced truck accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily has recently joined forces with the legendary Philadelphia Beasley Firm and collectively has recovered billions of dollars since 1958 with an outstanding track record of success. For more information, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595. As always, we offer a no recovery, zero fee guarantee.

Posted by Jeffrey M. Reiff

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Three Killed in Wrong Way Collision on I-70 near Wilson, Kansas

Kansas City Auto Accident Blog

Friday, April 1st, 2011

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HomeAbout RLGOur WebsiteContact UsDisclaimerOur Practice Areas You are here: Home / Aggressive Driving Incidents / Three Killed in Wrong Way Collision on I-70 near Wilson, KansasThree Killed in Wrong Way Collision on I-70 near Wilson, Kansas

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Here at Roswold Law Group, we’ve seen enough wrong way highway accidents to know that each and every one of them can be prevented.  Following mandated road and highway laws is the first step in preventing any type of automobile accident, whether it involves cars, trucks, semis or motorcycles.

Last week near Wilson, KS., three people were killed in a tragic wrong way crash in the east bound lanes of Interstate 70.  Members of the Kansas Highway Patrol investigating the crash say it was caused by a pick-up truck driving west in the eastbound lanes, colliding with another vehicle on the road.  There were two people in the second vehicle and both were killed.  The driver of the pick up unfortunately was killed as well.

The experienced Kansas City Auto Injury Attorneys of Roswold Law Group would like to extend our thoughts and sympathies to the friends and families of the victims in this tragic accident.  This is a tragic case, obviously but one that certainly could have been prevented.

While the cause of this crash had yet to be determined and released at the time of this blog writing, we can tell you that there are a few reason a vehicle might be traveling the wrong way on the highway.  Often times drunk driving plays a big part in someone accidentally entering the wrong on ramp to an interstate.  Other times it’s done for simple thrills.  Either way, driving the wrong way on a major interstate highway or road rarely ever ends well.

We hope in the future all motorists in Kansas and Missouri practice safe and attentive driving techniques to prevent serious injury accidents and fatalities.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident in Kansas or Missouri, you may be entitled to compensation including medical bills, lost wages and even legal fees.  If you are facing a up hill battle in a law suit, you need someone in your corner you can trust.  Call the experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys of Roswold Law Group.  With over 15 years of experience in Auto Injury Accidents, we may be able to help you and your family get through this difficult and often stressful time.

Contact Roswold Law Group and set up a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim.  You can get started today by downloading our free book, “10 Essential Steps to Protecting Your Injury Claim“.  We want you to know your rights.

Posted by author on Monday, March 28, 2011 at 11:58 am 
Filed under Aggressive Driving Incidents, Driving Dangers, Drowsy Driving, drunk driving, Seat Belts · Tagged with I-70, Kansas, Kansas City, kansas city auto injury attorneys, kansas city personal injury lawyers, Missouri, serious injury, serious injury accident, Wilson, wrong way auto accident, wrong way crash

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