According to the US Department of Transportation, 1/3rd of all deadly US auto accidents involve a drunk driver. The auto death rate could be cut significantly if people stopped driving drunk.
The NHTSA survey found that about 17.2 million Americans have gotten behind the steering wheel of a vehicle even though they suspected that their BAC was over the legal limit. 8% of people have gotten in a car driven by someone that they suspected was drunk. 40% believe that they can drive after having 3 drinks. 11% think that they can still drive after 5 drinks.
It goes without saying that if you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago car accident involving a drunk driver that you believe caused the crash, there is a good chance you may have grounds for a Chicago injury case against him/her. Most drivers never intend to hurt anyone when driving under the influence, but unfortunately, injuries and deaths happen.
Just recently, one adult was injured and the allegedly drunken driver’s son, age 4, was killed in a Chicago car crash that occurred on August 15 at Fullerton and Kostner. Police say that Letecia Medel, 24, had a blood alcohol level of .151 when her vehicle did not stop at a red light and rear-ended a Honda Civic that was stopped. Her vehicle then drove into the next lane where it hit a Chevrolet Tahoe. The impact from the traffic collision also caused the Honda to strike another vehicle before it ended up against a building.
Medina, Jonathan, her 2-year-old son, and her husband fled the Cook County car accident site. At the hospital, Jonathan, who was suffering from a lacerated liver and numerous contusions, was pronounced dead.
Woman charged in DUI crash that killed 4-year-old, Pioneer Local, August 23, 2010
Government study: 1 in 12 drivers admit driving drunk, USA Today, August 26, 2010
Related Web Resources:
DUI Fact Book, Cyber Drive Illinois (PDF)
Among those polled:
• 55% say they have pet their dog while driving
• 21% have driven with their dog on the lap
• 7% have given a dog food and water while weaving through traffic
• 5% have played with the pet while driving
• Only 17% use a pet-restraint system
Our Chicago car accident lawyers want to remind you that now more than ever, distracted driving can be considered negligent driving—especially if someone gets hurt or dies as a result. A few other examples of distracted driving include, texting while driving, reading while driving, and surfing the Internet.
Even if you aren’t playing with or petting your dog while operating your vehicle, it is still important that your pet is properly restrained. An unrestrained dog can be a force to be reckoned with in a vehicle. If its body gets flung around during a Chicago car accident, vehicle occupants are at risk of injury from the force of impact. You definitely don’t want your dog sitting on your lap if the air bag in front of you deploys.
Study: Driving under influence of pets a danger, Vancouver Sun, August 18, 2010
Dogs rule but not in the car, survey says, Daily Herald, August 22, 2010
Related Web Resources:
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Distracted Driving, NHTSA
]]> Contact our Chicago car accident law firm to discuss your case. ]]>According to the Brack’s Cook County wrongful death lawsuit, police violated police practices when they took part in a high-speed police chase even though no violent crime had been committed, the vehicle pursuit was taking place in a suburban residential area, and office superiors had not been notified.
The officers involved in the police pursuit claim that they never drove faster than 35 mph while following the suspect and were two blocks away when the Dolton car crash fatally injured the teenaged victim. A friend who was cycling with Kenyatta, however, claims that the police cars were driving fast and following closely behind the other vehicle.
The Brack family is calling for the hit-and-run driver to come forward.
Cook County Car Accidents
There may be more than one party who should be held liable for your Cook County car crash injuries. We know how devastating it is to lose someone you love because other people were reckless or careless or negligent. Taking care of legal issues is not something you likely want to be thinking about so soon after your loss. However, the sooner your explore your legal options, the better you will increase the chances of getting the maximum Chicago car accident compensation from the responsible parties.
Father of Dolton teen killed in hit-and-run questions police account, Chicago Tribune, August 16, 2010
Lawsuit: Cops triggered hit-run crash that killed teen in Dolton, Sun-Times, August 17, 2010
Related Web Resources:
The Village of Dolton
Chases by police yield high fatalities, USA Today, April 23, 2010
]]>According to Cook County prosecutors, Ralph Eubanks, the driver of the 1998 Grand Prix that struck Maria and Jeremia, was fleeing police and allegedly driving at about 70 to 80 mph. He did not slow down or stop at the Rogers Park car accident site.
Eubanks was apprehended with traces of ecstasy, cocaine, and marijuana in his blood. He is charged with aggravated driving under the influence, first-degree murder, and leaving the scene of a deadly car accident site. At his bond hearing after the deadly Rogers Park traffic crash, prosecutors said that Eubanks has never had a driver’s license. He also has three prior convictions for driving without one and has spent time behind bars for drugs, weapons, and possession of a stolen vehicle-related convictions.
Worthon is also suing the owner of the vehicle, Dennis Jeter. Worthon contends that Jeter gave his “explicit permission" for Eubanks to use the vehicle.
Drunk driving and drugged driving are negligent acts that claim the lives of many people each year. Do NOT speak with the other party’s insurer about your Chicago car accident case without exploring your legal options first.
Suit filed against driver, car owner in fatal crash, Chicago Breaking News, August 9, 2010
No Bond For Driver Held On Hit-Run Murder Charge, CBS2, December 24, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Drugged Driving, NIDA
Impaired Driving, CDC
]]>According to the Illinois wrongful death lawsuit, Chiariello and Homatas were thrown out of the strip club after getting drunk. The club’s employees put Homatas in the car and he and Chiariello drove off. Some 15 minutes later, Homatas crashed his vehicle head-on into Simmons’ SUV.
Although the club had initially argued that it shouldn’t be held liable for Homatas’ actions since it doesn’t serve alcohol (it has a bring your own liquor policy), earlier this year the Illinois Supreme Court said that the strip club was at least somewhat accountable for the Kane County car crash.
From the $1 million settlement, which is the most that the club’s insurance allows, $800,000 will go to Simmons’s family. The remaining $200,000 will go to Chiariello’s family. Homatas, who is serving a 12-year prison term for his convictions for reckless homicide and aggravated DUI, settled the South Elgin wrongful death case against him for $200,000, which is also the maximum allowed under his insurance policy.
There may be more than one party who should be held liable for your Chicago car accident injuries.
West Chicago strip club settles DUI suit for $1 million, Chicago Tribune, August 12, 2010
Families Can Sue West Chicago Strip Club for Fatal Illinois Car Crash, ChicagoCarAccidentAttorneysBlog, March 19, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Illinois Supreme Court Ruling (PDF)
The compact car and sport utility vehicle collided at about 1:45am. The two vehicles were coming from opposite directions when they struck each other on Grass Lake Road. The SUV rolled over multiple times.
The woman that died, 22-year-old Danielle Trevithick, was riding alone in the car. She had to be extricated from her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the Antioch, Illinois car accident site.
Two of the SUV’s passengers, a man and a woman, also had to be extricated from their vehicle. The SUV’s driver was ejected from the auto during the crash. All three of them were flown to the hospital with critical injuries from blunt force trauma.
Police are trying to confirm the cause of the catastrophic Lake County car accident. Evidence of alcohol was found at the crash site.
Speed and alcohol are each alone known to cause devastating Chicago car crashes. Combine them with one another and the chance of fatality goes up dramatically. Both make it hard for a driver to maintain control of a vehicle—especially when confronted with an emergency situation. Thousands of people are killed each year because someone was driving drunk and/or speeding. Often, drunk drivers don’t even realize that they were speeding because their sense of perception is so impaired that it is difficult from them to accurately assess their physical space.
1 Dead, 3 Critical in Antioch Crash; Alcohol, Speed Suspected, MyFoxChicago, August 12, 2010
Alcohol, high speed possible factors in Antioch Township crash, Chicago Breaking News, August 12, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Speeding, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
Influenced Driving, Illinois State Police
]]> Our Lake County, Illinois motor vehicle crash law firm would like to offer you a free case evaluations.]]>According to the complaint, In “attempt to lean over” so he could throw up, the driver opened the bus door and ended up falling out of the vehicle and onto the road. Meantime, the now driverless bus kept on moving and eventually crashed in a ditch.
Giddings is suing Illinois Central School Bus for her son’s personal injuries. A spokesperson for the defendant maintains that safety is “a top priority” for the company.
School Bus Accidents:
Every day, millions of school children are transported to and from schools in school buses. Most school buses lack seat belts, which is why it is even more crucial that a bus driver refrain from doing anything careless or reckless that could result in a school bus accident.
Common causes of Chicago school bus accidents:
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Distracted driving
• Texting or talking on the phone
• Reckless driving
• A bus driver who is inadequately trained or not experienced enough to operate a school bus
• Bus malfunction
• Poor bus maintenance
• Driver fatigue
• Poor road conditions
Unfortunately, thousands of children are injured in school bus accidents every year. Bus passenger injuries can include broken bones, back injuries, neck trauma, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, whiplash, burn injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, disfigurement, soft tissue trauma, and wrongful death. There are also those who are injured from being struck by a school bus.
Bus company sued over crash by vomiting driver, Chicago Tribune, August 4, 2010
School bus crashed after driver leaned out to vomit: lawsuit, Sun Times, August 4, 2010
Related Web Resources:
The National Coalition for School Bus Safety
New Study On School Bus Safety Shows Injuries Well Exceed Previous Reports, Science Daily, November 6, 2006
]]>• 84% of them know that distracted driving increase their car crash risk
• 86% continue to drive while distracted, engaging in behavior such as eating, fiddling with the radio, putting on making, talking on the cell phone, and text messaging.
• Over 1/3 of participants admitted that they’ve almost been involved in car accidents because of distracted driving.
• Texting teen drivers send about 23 text messages each month.
• The highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in deadly motor vehicle collisions belong to the under 20 age group.
Considering that traffic accidents are already the number one cause of teen driver deaths, the fact that many teen motorists continue to text and engage in other distracted driving habits while operating a motor vehicle is bad news. Our Chicago car accident lawyers has seen the kinds of catastrophic crashes that can occur because someone was distracted while driving. We understand how devastating it can be to know that your life has been irrevocably altered because another motorist was busy multitasking and failed to see you in your vehicle.
According to the NHTSA, distracted drivers have a four times grater risk of becoming involved in a traffic crash than drivers who aren’t distracted. Texting increases a motorist’s crash risk by over 20 times.
Meantime, the federal government continues its quest to make people comprehend the dangers of distracted driving. Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the date for this year’s National Distracted Driving Summit. The event is scheduled to begin on September 21 and will involve transportation officials, law enforcement, safety advocates, researchers, industry representatives, and victims.
86 Percent of Teens have Driven While Distracted, According to AAA and Seventeen Magazine Survey, AAA, August 2, 2010
Teens, driving and texting are a bad mix, Los Angeles Times, August 2, 2010
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Second National Distracted Driving Summit, NHTSA, July 27, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, NHTSA
Teen Drivers, CDC
]]> Contact our Chicago cell phone accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates, PC today.]]>Neighbors reportedly rushed to the Cook County car collision site but failed in their attempts to pull out the victims because the flames and heat were too intense. One resident told WGN-TV that they could see the women “burning alive.”
The three ladies reportedly had gone out to celebrate one of their birthdays. According to neighbors, the women may have been drunk when they headed out. Two of them are mothers.
Car Fires
Car fires can cause catastrophic injuries. Burns can be extremely painful, disfiguring, and can even result in death. Some common causes of car fires include driver negligence, faulty or poor maintenance, and defective auto parts. Unfortunately, car fires are not uncommon.
According to AAA and the National Fire Protection Association, in 2004 there were 266,000 car fires, over 1300 car fire victims, and 520 resulting fatalities. NFPA said that every two minutes in the US, a car catches fire on a highway. AAA noted that more people are killed in car fires each year than in apartment fires.
With several flammable fluids under a car hood, it is no wonder that the risk of car fire injury is high. Not only is it important to check the vehicle regularly, but also motorists must drive safely because car fires have been known to ignite during a serious Illinois accident.
3 killed in fiery crash as rescuers watch in horror, Chicago Breaking News, July 30, 2010
New Warning to be Issued About Deadly Car Fires, ABC News, October 12, 2005
Related Web Resources:
Burns, National Institute of Health
National Fire Protection Association
Perfecto Perez was crossing the street in downtown Urbana when he was fatally struck by Kim. At the time of the Illinois traffic accident, Perez was wearing dark clothing and not in a crosswalk.
Chicago Car Accidents
While it can be hard to resist the urge to text while driving at the very moment the text message appears in your Inbox, refraining from doing so can save lives. Motorists should not engage in distracted driving, which takes their eyes and attention off the road. Texting also requires that a driver take at least one if not both hands off the steering wheel—one to hold the PDA or phone and another to open the message/compose one—and this can make it hard for the motorist to respond appropriately or safely during an emergency situation. It also is illegal in Illinois to text while driving a motor vehicle.
Road and Travel Magazine offers suggestions on how you can avoid the temptations of talking on the phone and/or texting while driving, including:
• Pull of the road if you are going to text
• Use a hands-free cell phone
• If your conversation is emotionally charged or stressful, get off the phone until you’ve arrived at your destination
Teen pleads guilty in fatal accident involving texting, News-Gazette.com, July 23, 2010
Teach Teens Dangers of Texting While Driving, Road and Travel.com
Related Web Resources:
Cellphone laws, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Distracted Driving, National Safety Council
]]> Contact our Cook County, Illinois car accident law firm to request your free consultation. Chicago cell phone accident injuries can be costly to treat and recover from, which is one reason you should receive all of the Cook County personal injury recovery that you are owed.7 people were injured. Four of them had to be hospitalized. The Ford Crown Victoria cab is owned by Flash Cab.
According to police, at around 10:35, a Toyota Corolla on Wabash Street ran a red light at an intersection. The cab then collided into the driver’s side of the Corolla before going over the curb, striking a newsstand, and then driving into the 7-Eleven’s entrance.
While no one inside the convenience store got hurt, the taxi cab driver and the Corolla’s driver were taken to local hospitals and admitted in serious condition. Two others were taken to the hospital, including one man who may have been a pedestrian hit by flying debris from the crash. Three others who were injured during the Chicago traffic crash refused medical attention at the accident site.
The Corolla’s driver received citations for driving without insurance and ignoring a traffic signal. More citations may be pending against the Corolla driver and the taxi driver. Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the Chicago, Illinois auto accident.
Cab crashes into 7-Eleven, ABC7 News, July 21, 2010
7 hurt as cab crashes into Loop 7-Eleven, Chicago Sun-Times, July 21, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Flash Cab
Among the other findings:
• The number Chicago area traffic crashes dropped by 4% between 2002 and 2008.
• Traffic fatalities and injuries in the seven Chicago area counties went down 12.5% from 2002 and 2005 to 18% between 2005 and 2008.
• There were 437 area traffic deaths in 2008—compare that to the 629 traffic fatalities in 2005.
• Newer vehicles and road safety enhancements are two of the reasons for the decline in injuries and deaths.
• DuPage County had the lowest death rates for the entire period that was examined.
• Cook County and Lake County, Illinois had the second lowest traffic death rates for 2008.
• However, Chicago’s fatality rate was above average for the region in 2008.
• While Chicago experienced the greatest drop in crashes between 2002 and 2008, the city had a higher crash rate than in rural areas.
• Nearly 25% of Chicago traffic fatalities were pedestrians.
• 52 of the 92 Chicago pedestrian deaths that occurred in 2008 actually took place within the city of Chicago.
• While traffic deaths are dropping in Kendall, Kane, McHenry, and Will counties, the numbers are still higher than in other areas where populations are more dense.
• 36% of Chicago region traffic deaths in 2008 took place between 10p and 5a.
• 46% of Chicago traffic crashes for that year occurred late at night.
Traffic deaths decline due to safer roads, vehicles, Chicago Tribune, July 18, 2010
Report: Chicago Region Traffic Deaths See Steep Drop, WBEZ, July 19, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Tinnes was pronounced dead early Monday at Central DuPage Hospital.The DuPage County traffic collision is under investigation.
In other Illinois car accident news, a 14-year-old boy is asking Maywood police to take another look at allegations accusing his brother of road rage in a deadly Cook County car accident. Christopher McConnell, 21, is accused of running a red light and killing himself and two other people. The two other victims, Nancy Tucki, 57, and Nicholas Randazzo, 36, are both from Chicago.
According to police, on the night of July 8, McConnell’s black Honda ran a stop light at Chicago and First Avenue, crashing into Randazzo’s Mercedes SUV. One witness, 18-year-old Christopher Scotland, says that that the catastrophic Maywood car accident happened because McConnell was suffering from road rage and chasing his vehicle. Scotland contends that the chase at times reached a speed of 80 mph. Tucki and Randazzo were not part of the alleged pursuit.
Our DuPage County car accident lawyers and Chicago injury attorneys know how confusing life can be immediately after a traffic crash that has resulted in injuries for you or the death of a loved one. That said, it is important that you get legal help immediately.
Wheaton car crash leaves West Chicago man dead, MySuburbanLife, July 12, 2010
Man's brother begs police to re-examine road rage crash, Chicago Sun-Times, July 11, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Safety on the Road, National Safety Council
Road Rage, Drivers.com
Horton, 28, was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at around 4am. The car driver, who was ejected from the auto was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Meantime, another passenger who was in the car sustained non-life-threatening injuries. No one in the car was using a seat belt. The other car that was involved in the Chicago car race fled the Cook County accident site.
Illegal Street Racing
Illegal street racing is a dangerous activity that has caused many deaths over the years. Drag racing on roads that are not designated for this type of activity endangers the lives not just of the participants but also of innocent bystanders and others that happen to be on the same roads where the racing is taking place.
Other reasons why many unnecessary Chicago car accidents happen:
• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Road rage
• Aggressive driving
• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Talking on a cell phone while driving
• Drugged driving
• Auto products liability
• Driver inexperience
Our Chicago car accident lawyers can help you consider your legal options. We know that dealing with the legalities of a Cook County motor vehicle crash claim is the last thing you want to do immediately after a catastrophic collision, but it is important to get the process rolling while evidence and witness accounts are still fresh.
Family: Ike street race victim steered clear of gang life, Chicago Breaking News, July 11, 2010
Drag racing accident on the Ike leaves 1 person dead, WGNTV, July 11, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Chicago 290, Eisenhower Expressway
llinois Accidents News, World News Report
Galvez is seeking over $100,000 plus legal expenses from Guller.
Cook County, Illinois Car Accident Cases
It is important that you work with an experienced Chicago car accident law firm that knows how to pursue your recovery. While it can feel terribly confusing and overwhelming so soon after a traffic crash to take legal action, the sooner your legal team starts investigating the evidence and speaking to witnesses, the more you are strengthening your chances for a successful outcome.
Chicago car accident injuries can be extremely painful, life-altering, and costly, which is why it is important that your Cook County injury lawyers able to do everything possible to help you obtain the maximum recovery. There may be more than one party who should be held liable.
For example, in another Illinois car accident case, Giard L. Dion is suing 17 defendants for injuries he sustained during a drunk driving accident. He is asking for over $2 million.
On July 21, 2009, Dion was involved in an Illinois car accident with Michael P. Quirk who, according to Dion’s Illinois injury complaint, was driving his vehicle while drunk. Dion says that as a result of the drunken driving crash, he suffered permanent and severe injuries, experienced great anguish and pain, lost wages, incurred medical costs, and his ability to earn a certain income has been diminished.
Dion is suing the parties that allegedly either supplied Quirk with alcohol or let him drive while drunk. Defendants include Relmss Services, PT's, VGC Holdings, Platinum of Illinois, PT's Brooklyn, North County Grocer and Liquor, Michael Ocello, Sam Patel, Ola Dodolewa, Nitin Singh, Lucky Singh, Adodo, Shivam Enterprise, Shanta, Platinum of Illinois, and Salas Investments.
Lawsuit: Niles crash led to miscarriage, Pioneer Local, July 8, 2010
Jersey County man seeks $2 million in auto accident case, The Record, July 6, 2010
Related Web Resources:
CyberDriveIllinois
Car Accidents Overview, Justia
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